Scholarships & Awards
Advancing women and girls through education
2025 High School Scholarships Recipients
Through your generosity Soroptimists awarded graduating high school women with a total of $19, 500 in scholarships during the Friday Harbor High School Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Patty Brightman, President and Eileen Frazer, President elect, presented the scholarships to seven outstanding high school girls. We awarded four $3000 awards and three $2500 awards. Thank you to our generous and supportive community who made these awards possible.
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The award winners are Kira Clark, Georgia Keune, Meagan Mellinger, Nylah Pieples, Kailey Raivo, Paloma Waldron and Katherine Youngsman (listed alphabetically). We are very proud of these young women and know they will make the world a better place as they pursue their goals. You have made a significant difference in their lives by providing support for their future endeavors and enabling them to follow their dreams.
Kira Clark will attend Whitworth University using her scholarship and plans to study Health Sciences. After her bachelor’s degree, she will go on to earn a masters degree in nutrition. Her ultimate goal is to become registered dietician.
Georgia Keune was is bound for the University of Washington where she will study psychology and criminal justice. Ultimately, she hopes to attend law school. The justice system has always intrigued her and her goal is to make a real difference in a field that is extremely important to the overall well-being of a functioning society.
Megan Mellinger received the STEM scholarship and will attend the University of Washington where she will study bioengineering. Biology is her passion and bioengineering will enable her to use her creativity to design medical devices or perhaps work in biotech industries. This area of study combines biology, mathematics, medicine, and engineering, and will allow her to follow her passions and hopefully make the world a better place.
Nylah Pieples will attend Boise State and study business with the help of her
scholarship. While in high school she served as an intern at a locally owned business, and gained valuable insight into the day-to-day operations and challenges of running a business. The experience sparked a deep interest in business. She is eager to build on what she has learned and explore the many opportunities the business world has to offer.
Kailey Raivo received our Community College Scholarship and will attend Bellevue Community College. She is excited to pursue a career in ultrasound technology and work with pregnant women on their journey to becoming mothers.
Paloma Waldron will attend the University of Arizona to pursue a degree in business and sports management. This will help her explore her passion for sports, leadership, and community development.
Katherine Youngsman is off to the University of Notre Dame and will study International Economics and Math with a minor in German. She hopes to build a career that bridges cultures, supports international collaboration, and contributes to more informed, equitable economic policy.
Educational Opportunity Award
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is encouraging qualified women in San Juan County to apply for our $3,000 Educational Opportunity Award. This award helps local women overcome financial difficulties and better their lives through education and training. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, including such things as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
To be eligible for this award, an applicant:
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has graduated from high school or has earned a State issued GED (General Education Development) certificate;
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must be enrolled in, or accepted into, undergraduate study at an accredited college, university; or an accredited vocational/trade skills training program*;
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and able to demonstrate financial need.
2025 Educational Opportunity Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Educational Opportunity Award. $3,000 was awarded to each six deserving women. Listed below in alphabetical order (first name) are the awardees who submitted bios to us.
Andrea Marr-Mellinger had previous college experience but no degree having to put off continuing education to raise a family. Andrea has been working as a para educator in Friday Harbor Elementary School with hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher. Andrea is pursuing her BA degree in Elementary Education through Western Governors University (June 2026 graduation) while still working at Friday Harbor elementary school. Quote from Andrea: "This scholarship is making all the difference in my continuing education. An accomplishment that I thought was out of my reach."
Erin Koning is pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree in Health Psychology through Eastern Washington University (August 2026 graduation) while still working as a dental hygienist on Orcas Island. Erin has been a dental hygienist for 20 years, and treasures the relationships she forms with her patients. Through her work in dentistry, she has developed a deep understanding and curiosity about the intricate relationship between psychology and physical wellness and illness. Erin wants to continue one-on-one work with patients with the goal of serving her community as a mental health practitioner.
Jenny Sutton is pursuing her degree in Criminal Justice/ Social Welfare through the University of Washington (March 2026 graduation). Jenny has worked 3 years as a civil and criminal law paralegal before returning to college to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She is passionate about helping individuals who need assistance with access to justice and mental health support within the criminal justice system. Jenny plans to pursue a career in San Juan County in social work and criminal justice. Jenny wants to give back to the San Juan Islands community, continue her education, and pursue her Master's Degree in Social Work.
Melissa Valencia Sandoval is pursuing a Pre-Health Sciences track to earn her bachelor's degree in either Public Health, or Nursing while also getting her minor in Spanish through the University of Washington (June 2028 graduation). In the upcoming summer, Melissa plans to shadow doctors, nurses, etc. at the Lopez Island Clinic, to observe and understand their specialty. Her hope is to also go to Medical School or Nursing school to become a physician or a Nurse. As a first-generation student, she hopes to accomplish her dreams and aspirations and to be the first in her family to graduate from college.
Fellowship Award
The $4,000 Fellowship Award is presented to a San Juan County woman who is returning to school for postgraduate study in an accredited college or university leading to an advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.).
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This award is open to local women:
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established in business or one of the professions who wish to undertake advanced study at an accredited college or university;
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candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree and present a plan for postgraduate study at an accredited college or university for an advanced degree.
2025 Fellowship Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Fellowship Award. These three deserving women each received a $4,000 award. Awardees are listed below in alphabetical order (first name).
Elena Porten is currently pursuing a five-quarter Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Central Washington University. Upon completing her fourth quarter, she will earn her Washington State teaching certificate with endorsements in both Social Studies and Spanish for secondary education (grades 6-12). After finishing the extensive MAT program in August 2025, which includes three graduate-level courses each quarter and a 650-hour mentored internship at a local school, Elena plans to teach in her endorsement areas at either the middle or high school level on San Juan Island.
Hannah Buckmaster is pursuing a Master's degree in Education Technology and Instructional Design through Western Governors University (September 2025 graduation). Hannah is currently a special education teacher at Friday Harbor Middle School, where she has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of engaging and accessible learning experiences on students with diverse needs. Committed to expanding her expertise, she aims to integrate innovative technology and instructional strategies to enhance student learning and accessibility in special education.
Shelly Rankin is pursuing a Master's degree in Education through Western Governors University (November 2025 graduation). Shelly has been working on Orcas Island for the OASIS Alternative school for the past 12 years. She works with individual families who have chosen, for a multitude of reasons, to educate their children from home but with the support and guidance of a public school. This year, Shelly has decided to take things to the next level and work towards her master's degree, studying design for e-learning experiences and has found it to be an inspiring and very useful adventure.
NEW! Trades Award
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is now offering qualified women in San Juan County to apply for our $3,500 Trades Award.
This award is specifically designed to help women gain vocational trades skills to fill high paying jobs that are in great demand in our community.
To be eligible for this award, an applicant:
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​has graduated from high school or has earned a State issued GED (General Education Development) certificate;
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must be enrolled in, or accepted into,an accredited trade skills training program for Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Marine Maintenance, or Welding;
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and able to demonstrate financial need. ​
2025 Trade Award Recipient
We are pleased to announce the first and deserving recipient of the new Trades Award of 2025. Lauryl Gaumer received the $3,500 award.
Lauryl started Friday Harbor Fabrication in 2023 after moving to San Juan Island. With her partner, they create architectural metalwork. From the CAD design to fabrication to installation, they work with metal (and touches of glass) to add safety and accentuate the home. With the help from the Trades Educational Award, Lauryl will work towards earning her Structural Welding Certificate at Skagit Community College.
With a structural certificate, Lauryl will be able to do the welding and fabrication for engineered infrastructure. She will also be able to help complete needed construction projects and this certificate will widen the array of processes her shop can provide. In addition to growing her business, Lauryl has a passion for teaching and giving back to the community. She is preparing to teach her first Economic Development Council (EDC) welding class as part of their Trades Training Initiative. This class is designed to help students learn the basics of welding, with plans for a follow-up course focused on designing, fabricating, welding, and finishing metal objects.
Quote from Lauryl: "I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to finding ways to share my gained expertise with this amazing community. "
Live Your Dream Award
This award helps women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and training. To be eligible for this award, an applicant must be enrolled in or accepted into an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program, the primary wage earner in her household, and able to demonstrate financial need. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, such as tuition, books, childcare, or transportation.
Recipients of our local $4,000 award are eligible for additional cash awards from other levels of the world-wide Soroptimist organization, up to $16,000 finalist awards.
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Each year, more than $2.8 million in education grants are awarded to over 1,700 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse and/or substance abuse.
Our 2024 Live Your Dream Award winner from San Juan Island requested anonymity and is very grateful for the financial assistance to fulfil her aspirations.
Please see home page around August 15 for details on to apply for the 2025 Live Your Dream Award.
2023 Ruby Award Recipient
Rachelle Radonski
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is honored to award Rachelle Radonski for her role in supporting women, children, and families in the community.
Rachelle has been managing the Friday Harbor Food Bank since 2019. The Food Bank is open to the public and is a non-profit under the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture that operates solely on contributions and community donations.
Rachelle works tirelessly to bring efforts together with other island food programs and donations. She teams with Meals on Wheels and the Family Resource Center to help pack food for deliveries.
In 2020, she started “Order by Phone” in 2020 for those who cannot get to the Food Bank. The Food Bank also provides children with the breakfasts and lunches they are missing when not in school through the Summer Kids Program.
Rachelle is most proud of the expansion and new storefront that was completed in January 2023 with more opportunities and privacy for customers.
The Food Bank serves approximately 115 households on Wednesdays and 190 on Saturdays and average 75 online orders every week and is a valuable resource to the community. ​