Soroptimist International of Olympic Rain Forest is pleased to announce 19 students will receive $1,000 scholarships each for the coming 2021-2022 academic year, with funds awarded out of three scholarship programs. These include the Diane Demorest Memorial Scholarship for medicine and SIORF women’s scholarships, both supported by SIORF fund-raising, as well as Hull Family scholarships funded by the Hull Family Foundation through United Way.

The Diane Demorest Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is going to graduating senior Mary Franklin. This scholarship is given by Soroptimist International of Olympic Rain Forest (SIORF) in honor of Diane Demorest, a beloved nurse in the Forks community. Mary will be attending Eastern Washington University to pursue a degree in nursing.

Four graduating seniors were selected for first-time SIORF Scholarships of $1,000 each: Natalie Lausche, Miriam Martin, Lucille Franklin, and Miranda Tyree. A renewal scholarship of $1,000 is also being awarded to Marissa Bailey, a previous SIORF scholarship winner attending Gonzaga University. SIORF increased its base funding for SIORF scholarships from $3,000 to $5,000 this year. The vision of Soroptimist International is to provide women and girls around the world with the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams.

SIORF also manages the application and selection process for the Roger W. Hull Family Scholarships that are awarded in the Forks/LaPush area. Graduating senior Skyler Steffen will receive a $1,159 Hull Scholarship. Seven other graduates will each receive a $1,000 Hull Scholarship: Savannah Meyer, Jaden Lohrengel, Chloe Leverington, Karen Ensastegui, Emily Adams, Kray Horton, and Irene Martin. Hull Renewal Scholarships of $1,000 each, designed to support previous Hull scholarship recipients’ progress toward their degree, are being awarded to Enid Ensastegui, Britney Dean, Chelsea Biciunas, Elizabeth Adams, and Blanca Silva. The Hull scholarships are funded by the Hull Family Foundation through United Way. The Hulls operated Peninsula Telecom, the telephone company in Forks for many years. The Hull Family scholarship donations total $13,159.

Normally, a special awards ceremony would be held for the winners. Since this will not happen again this year, please congratulate them when you see them in the community. SIORF is wishing all 29 students who applied success in reaching their dreams.

Scholarship Fundraising – watch for mini-auction

SIORF will hold a small online auction this summer in hopes of funding even more scholarships next year. More details coming soon. Anyone interested in donating directly to the SIORF scholarship fund may send a check to SIORF, PO Box 502, Forks, WA 98331.

Scholarships can make a difference. The lowest tuition and fees for in-state public institutions in Washington for 2020-2021 was $7,720. Add room and board, transportation, books and more and a student’s cost to attend for one year is approximately $28,000. Out-of-state and private schools can be even more. So, any help students can get is important to their success.