At the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, we believe that education opens doors and strengthens our region for generations to come. Scholarships help students pursue their educational goals—benefiting not only their futures but also their families and our broader communities.

Thanks to the generosity of local donors who have established scholarship funds, along with the dedication of school counselors, volunteers, and community partners, our 2025 scholarship season was a success. A total of 32 students received new scholarship awards totaling $109,500, and an additional 36 students are eligible for renewable scholarship awards amounting to $130,750. We’re excited to share a few program highlights and introduce you to two outstanding graduates: Atlas Gardner and Keegan Clemons.

Reaching Students Where They Are

Building on last year’s expanded outreach, we continued connecting with students through high schools, youth-serving nonprofits, and virtual help sessions. These efforts made a real impact:

• ‍605 applications received from students across 27 schools

• 34 volunteer reviewers contributed more than 250 hours reading and scoring applications—bringing valuable insights and lived experience to the process

• 27 renewable scholarships awarded, providing continued support for students in future years

We are deeply grateful to the scholarship donors, reviewers, school counselors, student recommenders, and other community champions who helped connect students with these scholarship opportunities. Your support made this season possible!  

Meet Two of This Year's Student Scholars!

Atlas Gardner

Recipient of the Henry J. Melusky Memorial Scholarship, John & Opal McGimpsey Scholarship, and Mike & Sharon Welsh Scholarship  

Atlas is graduating from Olympia High School with a 3.9 GPA, a fierce love of learning, and a future devoted to teaching and community care. A first-generation college student, Atlas will attend Western Washington University this fall to study Elementary Education—a path inspired by the kindness of teachers who supported him throughout childhood.

"My teachers in elementary school shaped me into who I am," Atlas shared. "They taught me with passion, showed me love when I needed it most, and made sure I never felt alone. Now I want to pass that on—to be the kind of teacher who gives every student that same encouragement and support."

Theater also played a life-changing role in Atlas's journey. Although he initially dreamed of acting, he discovered his passion backstage as a technician and stage manager through local productions and his work with Olympia High School's Performing Arts program and Pacific Northwest Theater. Atlas built confidence, overcame anxiety, and embraced his identity as a transgender student. "Without theater, I wouldn't be who I am today," he said. "It helped me find my voice—and the courage to live as my authentic self."

Atlas's path has not been easy. After the passing of his father in late 2024, he has taken on full financial responsibility for himself, working two jobs, managing rent and expenses, and saving for college, all while navigating grief and change. But his father's words continue to guide him: "If you learn to read, you can do anything."

That belief—and the vibrant legacy of love and resilience they shared—lives on in Atlas's quiet acts of determination. From holding down jobs to holding classroom dreams, he's building a future full of purpose, learning, and care. "I've always loved helping others," he said. "And now, I get to turn that love into a career—one where I can inspire, support, and teach the next generation."

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Keegan Clemons

Recipient of the Dan R. Montgomery Scholarship  

Keegan is graduating from North Thurston High School with a 3.68 GPA and a powerful commitment to service that reaches far beyond the classroom. As a first-generation college student, Keegan has charted an ambitious path—balancing a full-time Running Start course load at South Puget Sound Community College, working 20 hours a week as Front End Manager at Anytime Fitness, volunteering with the Lacey Police Explorers and Rods and Reels for Foster Youth, and caring for his 94-year-old grandfather every weekend.

"Volunteering with foster youth, being an Explorer, and caring for my grandfather have all shaped who I am," Keegan shared. "These experiences have taught me patience, compassion, resilience, and empathy—and strengthened my passion for serving my community through law enforcement."

That passion will follow Keegan to Saint Martin's University this fall, where he plans to study Criminal Justice with the goal of joining the Washington State Patrol. His long-term ambition is a career in community policing and traffic enforcement, which will enable him to serve and protect with integrity, empathy, and leadership.

Growing up with a single mother and navigating financial and personal challenges, Keegan credits his family and volunteer mentors for instilling in him the values of hard work, commitment, and service. "It hasn't been easy, but everything I've taken on—school, work, volunteering—has helped me grow as a leader and as a person. I'm excited to carry those lessons forward into a career that makes a real difference."

And if you ask his younger self? He'd be pretty amazed, too. "When I was five, I was too shy to keep up on a bike. Now, I'm riding street bikes and competing in dirt biking. I've come a long way—and I'm just getting started."

Congratulations, Class of 2025! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating this year’s scholarship recipients—and all South Sound graduates—on a job well done. We can’t wait to see what you do next.

Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty Scholarship

• Brynn Williams

Dan R. Montgomery Scholarship

• Keegan Clemons

Donald & Patricia Ernst Olympia Kiwanis Endowed Scholarship

• Sydney Peters

• Monica Herness

• Aoi Kondo

Ecosystems Scholarship

• Elizabeth "Scout" Abbott  

• Roan Ontjes-DeGroot

Elizabeth Libby White Memorial Scholarship

• Kennahn Trolson

• Leo Palmer

Ellen Anderson deMoise Scholarship

• Manta Ceesay  

• Allie Anderson  

Henry J. Melusky Memorial Scholarship

• Atlas Gardner

• Kalypto Bolender

• Zander Peden

Jay Elder Creativity Challenge

• Kevin Shen

John & Opal McGimpsey Scholarship

• Atlas Gardner

• Kennahn Trolson

L&E Bottling Company Scholarship

• Jonessa Wiedenmeyer

Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship

• Melinda Le  

• Elhadj Toure  

• Muhamed Toure  

• Lawrence Joseph Balajadia  

• Chhayanshu Joshi  

• Lorena Slaughter  

• Maria De Luna  

Mike & Sharon Welsh Scholarship

• Atlas Gardner

• Kalypto Bolender

OHS Faculty Memorial Scholarship

• Emma Hankins

OHS Foundation Alfred R. "Dick" Lewis Memorial Scholarship

• Aarav Verma

OHS Laurie Callaghan Memorial Scholarship

• Ava Bautista

Randy Edwards Memorial Scholarship

• Magdeline Barker

Richard J. Geiger Memorial Scholarship

• Judah Holzgrove

Russell Legacy: Women in STEM

• Lorena Slaughter