RCOB President-elect Nathan Twining introduced Teri Treat, President, RCOB Foundation. She gave a brief introduction to the basics of Rotary and emphasized that, by earning and receiving these scholarships, the students have, in fact, been welcomed into the family of Rotary. She urged the students to seek out Rotary organizations, such as Interact and Rotaract clubs, wherever they go. Teri stated that the RCOB Foundation has distributed over $100,000 this year.
Felicity Dye, Director of Youth Services for District 5050, described the various youth programs available through Rotary: Interact clubs in high school; International Youth Exchanges (both short- and long-term); Youth Adventures in Learning (YAIL); and Youth Engaged in Service (YES).
Shauna Naf described our third annual Mountain Film on Tour event this coming November 7, 2026 and showed a brief video teaser. (Save the Date)
Teri Treat then announced the Student Scholarship Awards:
STUDENT AWARDS: * Attended
- NON RCOB FDN FUNDS – HELD IN INSTITUTIONS FOUNDATONS – generally $1,500 each based upon balances held.
ADMINISTERED BY WWU: Nicole Ebersole*
ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM ENDOWMENT WITH WWU SCHOLARSHIP: $1,500
- Mason Williams
ADMINISTERED BY WCC: Rose Hill* and Bradley Tuininga*, Exec. Dir.
A. ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP WITH WCC
1. Alex Tran (Computer Engineering)
2. Ruthie Schley (Nursing)
3. Emily Durkin (undecided)
B. ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
- Hannah Carlson (Art)
- Dana Dardis (Substance abuse disorder professional)
ADMINISTERED BY BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE – Dean Fulton*
ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM ENDOWMENT: $2,705
1. Ann Llar
RCOB FDN NAMED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS HELD IN RCOB FOUNDATION:
THE ERSHIG FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP (2) $6,651 Total
- Krista Primus
- Allyson Wainwright
ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM FOUNDATION DAVID C. MORSE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (3) $6,650 total
1. Leah Foster
2. Erick Alejandro Menzoda
3. Sephtis Bridges
DOUGLAS BLAIR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (3) $5,337 Total
1. Madison Adams
2. Tiffany Forrester
3. Carli Garcia
ADMINISTERED BY WHATCOM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WHATCOM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROGRAM: Shannon Elmendorf* and Kendra Norton*
- PHIL MILLARD MEMORIAL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP (6) $4,000 EACH FOR A TOTAL OF $24,000
a. Brian Agular* - Squalicum (Football)
First in his family to attend college; Founder and President of the
Squalicum High School Latino Club; Will attend WWU, majoring in
Psychology
b. Keisha McCloud* - Squalicum (Cheer)
Will attend Grand Canyon University, planning to become an Elementary
School Teacher.
c. Cole Turrell* -Sehome (Basketball)
Will attend Whitworth College, majoring in business and playing football and basketball.
d. Keira Reeves* - Sehome (Soccer)
Will attend WWU, majoring in biology and playing varsity soccer and track
e. Sophia Brady* - Bellingham (Soccer, track, golf, basketball)
Will attend the University of San Diego, majoring in political science and
running track.
f. Alden Bachmeier* - Bellingham (Cross Country, Track & Field)
Will attend Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in Law
2. MICHAEL MISCHAIKOW SCHOLARSHIP (1) $2,000
a. Mikele Fairbanks
3. ROTARY CLUB OF BELLINGHAM FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR: $3,000 EACH FOR A TOTAL OF $30,000
a. Most Improved: (3)
1. Eva Cranley - Sehome
2. Tessa Vargas - Lynden
3. Jaydn DeVries* - Mt. Baker
Will attend WCC, majoring in accounting.
b. Outstanding Academic Achievement: (2)
1. Sophie Brady* - Bellingham (Also a Phil Millard Recipient)
2. Jack Wasilewski - Ferndale
c. Vocational Excellence: (3)
1. Kai (Kathryn) Oldham -Options
2. Lesly Cruz-Antonio - Nooksack Valley
3. Addison Cohn* - Mt. Baker
Will attend the University of Washington, majoring in health sciences, planning to become a dentist.
d. Best Overall Student: (2)
1. Jolie Paz*
Will attend the University of Washington, run track, and major in biology as a premed,
planning to become a neonatal or emergency room physician. She
2. Ronan Maher*
Will attend Dartmouth College, majoring in economics, participating in Varsity rowing, and hoping to eventually study law.
Closing: President-elect Nathan thanked all the guests for attending, congratulated all the scholarship recipients again, and reminded them to stay after the meeting for a photo shoot. He asked Club members to stay after to clean up the auditorium. He then rang the meeting to a close at the surprisingly early hour of 1:10 PM.
Whatcom Memorial Day Parade
