News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 14, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Washington Education Foundation, 425-416-2000

Gov. Gary Locke Awards 28 Foster Children with 2004-05 Governor’s Scholarships

OLYMPIA – May 14, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today awarded Washington State Governor’s Scholarships to 28 children in foster care at a ceremony in Olympia. The ceremony coincided with the celebration of May as National Foster Care Month.

Locke established the Governor’s Scholarship program in 2001 to help children in state-recognized foster, group and kinship care enroll in and complete college in Washington state. The scholarships are full, four-year scholarships.

“A college education is part of the American dream. Every young person, including students leaving foster care, deserves the real chance to have this dream come true,” Locke told the recipients. “You’ve worked hard and seized opportunities. Congratulations on coming this far, and keep going until you reach your dreams.”

No state money is used to fund the Governor’s Scholarship program. It is primarily funded by proceeds from the annual Governor’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament. To date, more than $800,000 has been raised for the scholarship awards.

“The Washington Education Foundation is honored to manage this program for the governor and do our part in helping to provide meaningful futures for these students,” said Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, co-founder of the Washington Education Foundation. “We need to reach foster youth at a young age so they know there is something for them when they turn 18 and leave the foster care system.”

Fifty-five students applied for the Governor’s Scholarship Program this year. Additional eligibility criteria can be found on the Washington Education Foundation’s Web site at www.waedfoundation.org.

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Editor's Note: A list of the 2004-05 Governor’s Scholarship Recipients is attached.

2004-05 Governor’s Scholarship Recipients*

LaReena Allison, Spokane
Lewis and Clark High School senior plans to attend Spokane Community College. Her major is undecided.

Victoria Babcock, Sequim
Port Angeles High School senior plans to attend Washington State University and study criminal justice and social/behavioral sciences.

EmmaLee Bilek, Seattle
South Lake High School senior plans to attend Seattle Vocational Institute and study cosmetology.

Crystal Case, Anacortes
Anacortes High School senior plans to attend Skagit Valley College and study education.

Jennifer Chung, Yakima
Eisenhower High School senior plans to attend Yakima Valley Community College and study early childhood education.

Tina Crosby, Lacey
Timberline High School senior plans to attend South Puget Sound Community College and study nursing.

Peter Deng, Seattle
Ingraham High School senior plans to attend Seattle Central Community College and study social work.

Matthew Firstenberg, Seattle
Roosevelt High School senior plans to attend Cornish College of the Arts and study theater.

Ondrea Humphrey, Sedro Wooley
Mount Baker Senior High School senior plans to attend Skagit Valley College and study education.

John Huynh, Spokane
Lewis and Clark High School senior plans to attend Washington State University and study law.

Codie Jenkins, Ocean Park
Ilwaco Junior-Senior High School senior plans to attend Saint Martin’s College and study education.

Abraham Jok, Sammamish
Ingraham High School senior plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University and study international relations.

Rachael LaMoureaux, Bellevue
Alger Learning Independence senior plans to attend Bellevue Community College. Her major is undecided.

Ashley Lawrence, Bonney Lake
Sumner High School senior plans to attend Pierce College and study criminal justice and law.

Simon Mabior, Olympia
Capital High School senior plans to attend South Puget Sound Community College and study political science and law.

Betty Maeder, Prosser
Bickleton High School senior plans to attend Eastern Washington University and study social work.

Erika Martinez, Lakewood
Clover Park High School senior plans to attend South Seattle Community College and study journalism.

Samantha Mowry, Lynnwood
Edmonds Woodway High School senior plans to attend Bellevue Community College and study interior design.

Amanda Nadeau, Conway
Mount Vernon High School senior plans to attend Western Washington University and study art history.

Heidi Opstrup, Spokane
Rogers High School senior plans to attend Spokane Community College and study liberal arts.

Feliciana Ramirez, East Wenatchee
Eastmont High School senior plans to attend Wenatchee Valley College and study science.

Chelsy Reed, Clarkston
Clarkston High School senior plans to attend Walla Walla Community College. Her major is undecided.

John Riak, Lacey
North Thurston High School senior plans to attend Saint Martin’s College and study biology.

Rosalyn Stansberry, Renton
Liberty High School senior plans to attend Bellevue Community College and study science.

Omar Thompson, Seattle
Garfield High School senior plans to attend the University of Washington and study business economics and psychology.

Elizabeth Van Benschoten, Freeland
South Whidbey High School senior plans to attend Northwest College and study nursing.

*Two students requested that their information not be made public.


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