The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce hosted its 30th annual Scholarship Awards and Student of the Quarter Awards at their joint luncheon on Wednesday, May 8th.
Ten scholarships, including the Rosie Reader Continuing Education Scholarship, the High School Senior Scholarship, the Vera Howarth Memorial Scholarship, and the Community Cares CTE Scholarship, were awarded at this event.
Four students were selected for the Student of the Quarter.
Borough Mayor Peter Micciche shared his story of coming to Alaska as a summer engineering intern in 1982. Now, 42 years later, he’s still investing in the community. He hopes that all the graduates can do the same.
“We invest in you as a community because we believe in you, and we want you back. But no one chooses your path. It’s okay if you don’t know what’s next. Be bold, [and] open to the enormous possibilities before you. Don’t let a focus on perfection stall your progress. Believe in yourself because we believe in you, and no obstacle is insurmountable,” said Micciche.
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney congratulated all of the scholarship recipients and wished them the best in their future endeavors.
“You have many more choices right now. And I encourage you to decide what you want to do, and if you change your mind, there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve been a mechanic, a police officer, and an investigator. I’ve done many different things. You’ll eventually find your niche and find where you’re happy and where you’re happy at,” said Whitney.
Rosie Reader Continuing Education Scholarship was awarded to University of Alaska Anchorage student Cassidy King. She’s working to achieve her Business Management, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship degree.
The High School Senior Scholarship went to Seniors Bailey Conner and Nolan Freeman. Conner plans to attend Boise State University in the fall to pursue Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering degrees. Freeman will attend Cuesta College to attend their Police-Criminal Justice K-9 Officer program.
The Vera Howarth Memorial Scholarship went to Rebekah Hudson and Bella Kaliberda. Hudson will attend the University. Lafayette will pursue a Bachelor’s in Biology with Louisiana at n pre-med. Kaliberda plans to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage to achieve a B.A in chemistry and biochemistry.
The Community Cares CTE Scholarship was awarded to Thomans Hudson, Cooper Gossard, Christian Skaggs, Milo Gilliam, and Coy Babcock.
Hudson is a rising senior at UAA, where he will finish his last year and achieve his Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Gossard will complete a Web Engineering Occupational Endorsement Certificate program at the University of Alaska and then pursue a Computer Science degree.
Skaggs is going to finish AVTEC and get his certificate in welding and hopes to start his own welding business.
Gilliam plans to go to Kenai Peninsula College and work in nursing.
Babcock is working to earn his industrial process instrumentation degree at KPC.
As for Student of the Quarter, the awards went to Grace Henry of Cook Inlet Academy, SoHi student Koda Lepule, River City Academy student Boden Wight, and Sky-View Middle School Dotty Brown.
For photos from the event, click here.