Seven awards, $48K: Community support breaks scholarship foundation record

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 16, 2026

By Gretchen Wing

Thanks to the unprecedented generosity of the community, Lopez Island Community Scholarship Foundation awarded seven scholarships at the 2026 Lopez School Scholarship Awards Night. Not only does that number break last year’s record, but each individual scholarship increased, resulting in a whopping $48,000 worth of awards. Two students received the $4,000 Career, Technical and Engineering Award for two years of community college, and another five — including all three co-Valedictorians — each received $8,000 awards for four-year study. Their plans of study range through the sciences, social sciences and humanities, and their self-assurance and gratitude are inspiring.

CTE scholarship awardee Danielle Arnott, daughter of Trisha and Stanley Arnott, is heading for two years at Bellingham Technical College to become a veterinary technician, with plans to transfer to Washington state to complete her degree. In her application, Danielle credits her horse trainer with teaching her to “approach challenges with determination instead of doubt.”

Fellow CTE awardee Naima Garcia, daughter of Marjorie Schreurs and Diano Garcia, will attend the nursing program at Skagit Valley Community College for two years, then plans to complete her BS at a university. Naima is considering a career in labor and delivery nursing, though her personal experience pushes her to help anyone in need. Having undergone surgery for a sports injury in her senior year and a grueling recovery, Naima wrote in her application, “the nurse that I had during my surgery is who inspired me to pursue nursing in the first place. She was a huge comfort to me in the hospital, and I would love to be able to do that for others.”

Heading to Seattle University is Evelyn Aguilar-Clavel, daughter of Eloina Clavel Garcia and Alejandro Aguilar. The first in her family to attend a four-year university, Evelyn attributes her confidence and goal-setting to growing up in a Spanish-speaking home. “Over time,” she wrote in her application, “I began to understand the importance of being a bilingual speaker. What once felt challenging became one of my strengths. I realized that my ability to communicate in both languages allowed me to bridge gaps, not just for my family, but for my community as well.” While interested in sports management or media, Evelyn is open to all the opportunities college has to offer.

Co-Valedictorian Kimber Estey, daughter of Brian Estey and Trusanda Lyons, will travel all the way to New York City to matriculate at the University of Mount St. Vincent, where she plans to major in public policy. Kimber’s bosses at Lopez Bookshop, Hilary Seglin and Camilla Wilde, wrote in their letter of recommendation that “Kimber has brought wisdom, intellectual curiosity, compassion, and calm competence to her role” at the bookshop, and noted Kimber’s extraordinary commitment to learning, “reading at least 100 books per year beyond her assigned reading for school, and across many genres.”

Another co-Valedictorian, Nikolai Kazakov (grandson of Janet and William Raab), intends to pursue electrical engineering at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, with the possibility of continuing on for a master’s degree. In her letter of recommendation, secondary STEM teacher Kristen Maker especially praised Nikolai’s work ethic, noting, “Nik is not someone who seeks attention for his work; instead, he demonstrates commitment through consistency, follow-through, and a willingness to put in the effort required to succeed.”

Third co-Valedictorian and Associated Student Body Vice President Kaileah Poole, daughter of Jennifer and Douglas Poole, is heading this fall to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma to study education, with the goal of becoming a high school teacher or counselor. In her application, Kaileah wrote: “Lopez has taught me that community is the most precious gift, and giving back feels like the greatest reward. I am so excited to step into a new chapter, with the support and love of my community burning bright within me.”

Last but not least in this stellar group is ASB President Ana-Sophia Rempel, daughter of Claudia and Jeremy Rempel, who will also attend UPS in Tacoma. Ana-Sophia intends to study public policy and international affairs, while remaining open to the lure of other paths. She credits her leadership in student government with challenging her “to think outside the box and come up with new ideas that help students feel included and empowered to succeed.”

LICSF is bursting with pride that these phenomenal 2026 graduates will soon represent Lopez all over the state and even the country. All aim high, and all focus on elevating others as they rise. Board members will now work with each scholar to match them with an advocate, a non-family community member who will stay in touch throughout the years of their post-secondary schooling, providing support as needed.

Seven student-advocate matches are the most LICSF has ever needed to make, so if you have ties with any of these graduates, please visit licsf.org to get in touch with any board member. As board member Tom Cowan noted in his speech at Awards Night, seven awardees are 40% of Lopez High School’s 2026 graduating class. But given the response of the community to LICSF’s fundraising efforts, who knows? Perhaps next year will bring a new record level of scholarship support.

Please visit licsf.org if you feel interest in becoming an advocate for a future graduate, or in joining the LICSF board, or if you wish to financially support our hard-working students.