Every year, The Skanner Foundation awards thousands of dollars in college scholarships through the help of our sponsors. Full-time undergraduate students are eligible to receive $1,000 to $3,000 scholarships, awarded each year at The Skanner's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast in January. Applications are due by Oct. 15 for the following year. For more information, visit www.theskanner.com and click on "Foundation."
Here are some updates from several of the Oregon Lottery-funded scholarship recipients after a year in college:
Jonna Frater
Currently attending Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Frater says she plans on finishing her last class this next winter. Because of 17 credit hour semesters, the political science major was able to finish school an entire semester early. After that?
"I have to look for a job," she says.
She says she'll be returning to Portland to help her dad coach basketball, but she doesn't know yet if she'll be looking into a career in politics anytime soon. Receiving The Skanner Foundation's scholarship every year in college was a huge help, she says, and helped her concentrate on her studies, instead of focusing on making money. She is currently maintaining a 3.5 grade point average.
Asmeret Kiflezghi
The Oregon State University Doctor of Pharmacy student says she has two years left on this degree. While learning about every medication that exists, Kiflezghi says she also has to learn about business practices, long term care and other everyday practices a pharmacist must know.
The degree is not for everyone, she says. With four to five hours of study time each night, it takes a lot of drive and concentration to keep up her 3.72 grade point average. She says it's worth it and would recommend the degree to others. The scholarship helped Kiflezghi purchase books and supplies.
Marneet Lewis
A psychology student at Washington State University-Vancouver, Lewis says she's just finishing up her fourth year. Like many recipients of The Skanner Foundation's scholarships, Lewis has received help for several years now. She says it has helped pay for books and supplies, allowing her to focus on other things instead of making it to the bookstore before the used books sell out. Lewis began her college experience at Portland Community College.
After she graduates, she plans on pursuing a career in nonprofit enterprises. Lewis says she's already started one nonprofit, Operation KIND, which encourages volunteerism. She also wants to pursue another internship in Washington, D.C. Previously she interned in Sen. Edward Kennedy's office.
