Scholarships support Lopez students
Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 9, 2026
By Mary Bywater Cross
Spring, in the world of education, is a time of anticipation and celebration. For Lopez high school seniors, the closure of the K-12 phase can also evoke anxiety about the costs of higher education. Luckily, Lopez students can avail themselves of multiple scholarships, some aimed specifically at them. The scholarship spreadsheet created by school counselor Robb Ellis includes 11 local scholarships, five regional and five statewide, plus two large databases of other state and national possibilities.
To avoid overwhelming students, theWashBoard.org database matches students with the likeliest scholarships for their interests. While most scholarships are general, others focus on specific areas of study, such as art/music, agriculture, medical, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), tourism-related fields and technical and vocational opportunities. Ellis works closely with students and staff through conversations, class presentations and field trips to visit programs to encourage applicants.
Most scholarships are annual awards, some with the possibility of renewal. The Lopez Island Community Scholarship is the only local award structured to cover each year for a total of either two or four years, depending on the student’s choice of career program or traditional college. LICSF scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, community service, scholastic accomplishments, recommendation letters and special skills. The award includes an advocate, selected by the student and board, to help navigate their post-Lopez education.
As LICSF and other scholarship applications become available to students, the awarders of scholarships are hard at work fundraising. The number of awards and their amounts are based on the success of fundraisers’ work. Lopez is fortunate to have a population that believes in the future of young people and contributes generously to multiple foundations, faith-based and community-oriented groups, individuals and businesses. What better way to show your support than shopping at the Lopez Thrift Shop or making a donation through April’s GiveLopez event (Givelopez.org)?
The celebration of this year’s seniors’ Awards and Honor Diploma Student Presentations is Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the school. The public is invited to show their support in person.
