Foundation Updates

May is a busy time at the Homer Foundation as we administer ten different scholarships to benefit Homer area students. “I have come to believe scholarships have value well beyond the monetary. It is the message we send to each recipient, ‘We believe in you,’ ” explains Homer Foundation Executive Director Joy Steward. Each scholarship is supported by a permanent endowment fund managed by the Foundation. This year area students received a total of $20,150 in scholarship awards. We appreciate the many individuals who served on our review committees, and the support of Homer High School Counselor Lin Hampson. Each of the review committee’s had an exceptionally difficult task due to the high caliber of the applicants this year.

Congratulations to the 2015 recipients:

Homer Community Science Scholarship: for post-secondary education in the life sciences. The fund was established by retired Homer High School Science teacher, Stan Eller, and is supported by community donations.
Cheyanne Smith, HHS: $750
Sabina Karwowski, HHS: $500

Alain and Daniel Rieser Scholarship: recognizes a graduating senior with a flair for foreign language and an interest in foreign cultures.
John Shank, HHS: $2500

Drew Scalzi Memorial Maritime Scholarship: established in memory of Drew Scalzi. The underlying philosophy of the scholarship is to nurture young adults pursuing their careers in the maritime field or who are from fishing or maritime families.
Jane Rohr, HHS: $1000
Clem Tillion, HHS: $1000
Larson Fellows, HHS: $500
Robert Hockema, HHS: $500

Health Care Providers Scholarship: supports local students committed to pursuing a career in a health care field.
Leah Bailey, 2008 HHS graduate, $2500 – Physical Therapy

Beluga Tail Non-Fiction and Beluga Tale Fiction Writing Scholarships: reward graduating seniors that demonstrate exemplary skills in fiction and non-fiction writing.
Robert Hockema, HHS: $2500 – Non-Fiction
Jonas Noomah HHS: $2500 – Fiction

Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic Scholarship: established by Dr. Paul Raymond to provide financial assistance to a public high school graduating senior in the greater Homer area who has best exemplified academic excellence, community and/or school service, and a strong work ethic.
Sabina Karwowski, HHS: $2000 ($500/year for 4 years)

Ptarmigan Arts Visual Arts Scholarship: Established by the member artists of Ptarmigan Arts Gallery to support aspiring young artists.
Lisa Wisner, HHS: $1000
Rebecca Seneff, HHS: $600
Akilina Afonin, Razdolna: $400

Nikki Geragotelis (Fry) Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the family and friends of Nikki in honor of the life she lived. The goal of the scholarship is to keep Nikki’s memory alive by helping students continue their education. Throughout her life Nikki had a “walk-on” spirit. A recipient is selected that exemplifies her sportsmanship, athleticism, integrity and hard-working nature, giving their best every time they step on the field whether at practice or for a game.
Filip Reutov, HHS: $1000

Constance M. Benston Music Scholarship: The fund is in memory of Constance M. Benston and is distributed through the Homer Council on the Arts Summer Youth Arts Scholarship program.
Jimmy Gao, HHS: $400 to attend Harbor School of Music Summer Piano Master Class, an 8 week intensive course that covers advanced piano technique, music theory and elements of presentation.
Alice Witte Memorial Volleyball Scholarship: Alice Witte was an outstanding girls’ volleyball coach at Homer High School and this award memorializes her inspirational spirit. Each year the coaching staff selects the young woman who possesses the attributes that Coach Witte would have been proud to coach. They will each attend an outside summer volleyball clinic.
Izabelle Hagge, HHS: $500
Valerie Rios, HHS: $500

Because of the donors who had the vision to establish these scholarships, and the community members that continue to support them, these funds will be here to support the education of our youth far into the future. Tax exempt donations to support these scholarships, or any of the 50 funds managed by the Foundation, are appreciated and put to work in our community.