By Gretchen Wing

Thanks to generous community donations this year, the Lopez Island Community Scholarship Foundation gave out six scholarships at the 2025 Lopez School Scholarship Awards Night, twice the number it has given annually since its founding in 2016. One student received the $3,000 Career, Technical and Engineering award for two years of Community College, and a record five each received $6,000 awards for four-year study. Three awardees were Lopez High School valedictorians, and all six maintained the highest levels of academics, activities and community engagement. But the two traits that most distinguished these scholars, in their applications, were their resilience and caring.

CTE scholarship awardee Abril Velazco, daughter of Adriana Tepec and Miguel Velazco, is heading for two years at Bellingham Technical College to become a registered nurse, with plans to transfer to the University of Washington for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In her application, Abril wrote about difficult obstacles faced by her family during her high school years, saying they taught her to “stay optimistic in situations that weren’t always easy” and helped her to push past challenges. English teacher Richard Carter, in his recommendation, concurred that “Abril knows who she is and what she has been through in life. Things have not been handed to her on a silver platter.”

Co-Valedictorian Beatrix Donohoe, daughter of Brendan Donohoe and Gabrielle Hall, will attend Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts, for a B.A/B.S. in math or possibly engineering, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. later. As the eldest of four, living off-grid, Beatrix wrote her application essay about the importance of being there for your neighbors: “Lopez has taught me that it is incredibly important to find common ground and help others when they are in need.” Teacher Brian Goff, whose elementary classroom Beatrix volunteers in, says she is “a leader and exemplar, with the kind of grit required” for her challenging post-secondary path.

Heading all the way to Davidson College in North Carolina is another co-valedictorian, Mirabella Velo, daughter of Robert Velo and Ali Nicol. Mira is aiming for a double major in political science and art, after which she hopes to attend law school. “I’ve learned from my challenges that it’s okay to not always know exactly what your life will be like,” she wrote in her application. “It’s better to allow yourself room to grow.” Richard Carter, in his recommendation, called Mira “an original thinker, with a strong social and moral compass.”

Robert “Rowdy” Spreine, son of Bridie and Robert Spreine, will matriculate this fall at Central Washington University for a Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, possibly pursuing a master’s afterward. Through tough athletic challenges, Rowdy wrote, he has learned “resilience isn’t just about being strong, it’s about lifting others up when you’re hurting yourself.” Lopez High Counselor Robb Ellis, referring to Rowdy’s Whatcom County Running Start classes, was especially impressed with Rowdy’s course load, calling it “one of the most robust that I have ever seen a high schooler attempt.”

Having been accepted at seven top-notch universities, Co-Valedictorian Ruby Ervin-McLean, daughter of Megan McLean and Michael Ervin, chose the University of Washington to study biological engineering or biological physics, with an eye to pursue patent law, or perhaps research. Having lived in several countries before settling on Lopez, Ruby wrote, “I discovered that my voice could create change, that I could help others feel at home.” Science teacher and ASB advisor Kristen Maker called Ruby “a standout student who involves her peers as a problem-solver and leader.”

Last but not least in this stellar group is Ulises Velazquez-Cerda, son of Karina Cerda and Raul Velazquez, who will attend Gonzaga University for a major in civil engineering, with a possible minor in economics. As a toddler, Ulises wrote, he moved with his family to Mexico, coming back to Washington State, solo, at the ripe old age of 5, where he struggled to learn English. But, he concluded, “I don’t see these obstacles as traumatic; they were essential to my growth.” Lopez resident Douglas Oles, longtime customer of the landscaping company run by Ulises’ family, says Ulises “devotes his free time to serving others. Every time I see him, he is helping his parents or contributing to community causes.”

LICSF is bursting with pride that these phenomenal 2025 graduates will soon represent Lopez all over the country. While they are aiming high, they are all clearly bent on elevating others as they rise. Each scholar will now be matched with an advocate, a non-family community member who will stay in touch with them throughout the years of their post-secondary schooling, providing support as needed.

Six advocates is the most LICSF has ever had to find, so if you have ties with any of these graduates, please visit licsf.org to get in touch with any board member. Please also visit licsf.org if you feel interest in any of the following: becoming an advocate for a future graduate; joining the LICSF Board; or financially supporting our hard-working students.