Scholarships & Awards
Educational Opportunity Award
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is encouraging qualified women in San Juan County to apply for our $3,000 Educational Opportunity Award. This award helps local women overcome financial difficulties and better their lives through education and training. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, including such things as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
To be eligible for this award, an applicant:
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has graduated from high school or has earned a State issued GED (General Education Development) certificate;
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must be enrolled in, or accepted into, undergraduate study at an accredited college, university; or an accredited vocational/trade skills training program*;
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and able to demonstrate financial need.
*including on-line accredited study.
2025 Educational Opportunity Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Educational Opportunity Award. $3,000 was awarded to each six deserving women. Listed below in alphabetical order (first name) are the awardees who submitted bios to us.
Andrea Marr-Mellinger had previous college experience but no degree having to put off continuing education to raise a family. Andrea has been working as a para educator in Friday Harbor Elementary School with hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher. Andrea is pursuing her BA degree in Elementary Education through Western Governors University (June 2026 graduation) while still working at Friday Harbor elementary school. Quote from Andrea: "This scholarship is making all the difference in my continuing education. An accomplishment that I thought was out of my reach."
Erin Koning is pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree in Health Psychology through Eastern Washington University (August 2026 graduation) while still working as a dental hygienist on Orcas Island. Erin has been a dental hygienist for 20 years, and treasures the relationships she forms with her patients. Through her work in dentistry, she has developed a deep understanding and curiosity about the intricate relationship between psychology and physical wellness and illness. Erin wants to continue one-on-one work with patients with the goal of serving her community as a mental health practitioner.
Jenny Sutton is pursuing her degree in Criminal Justice/ Social Welfare through the University of Washington (March 2026 graduation). Jenny has worked 3 years as a civil and criminal law paralegal before returning to college to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She is passionate about helping individuals who need assistance with access to justice and mental health support within the criminal justice system. Jenny plans to pursue a career in San Juan County in social work and criminal justice. Jenny wants to give back to the San Juan Islands community, continue her education, and pursue her Master's Degree in Social Work.
Melissa Valencia Sandoval is pursuing a Pre-Health Sciences track to earn her bachelor's degree in either Public Health, or Nursing while also getting her minor in Spanish through the University of Washington (June 2028 graduation). In the upcoming summer, Melissa plans to shadow doctors, nurses, etc. at the Lopez Island Clinic, to observe and understand their specialty. Her hope is to also go to Medical School or Nursing school to become a physician or a Nurse. As a first-generation student, she hopes to accomplish her dreams and aspirations and to be the first in her family to graduate from college.
Fellowship Award
The $4,000 Fellowship Award is presented to a San Juan County woman who is returning to school for postgraduate study in an accredited college or university leading to an advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.).
This award is open to local women:
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established in business or one of the professions who wish to undertake advanced study at an accredited college or university;
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candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree and present a plan for postgraduate study at an accredited college or university for an advanced degree.
2025 Fellowship Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Fellowship Award. These three deserving women each received a $4,000 award. Awardees are listed below in alphabetical order (first name).
Elena Porten is currently pursuing a five-quarter Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Central Washington University. Upon completing her fourth quarter, she will earn her Washington State teaching certificate with endorsements in both Social Studies and Spanish for secondary education (grades 6-12). After finishing the extensive MAT program in August 2025, which includes three graduate-level courses each quarter and a 650-hour mentored internship at a local school, Elena plans to teach in her endorsement areas at either the middle or high school level on San Juan Island.
Hannah Buckmaster is pursuing a Master's degree in Education Technology and Instructional Design through Western Governors University (September 2025 graduation). Hannah is currently a special education teacher at Friday Harbor Middle School, where she has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of engaging and accessible learning experiences on students with diverse needs. Committed to expanding her expertise, she aims to integrate innovative technology and instructional strategies to enhance student learning and accessibility in special education.
Shelly Rankin is pursuing a Master's degree in Education through Western Governors University (November 2025 graduation). Shelly has been working on Orcas Island for the OASIS Alternative school for the past 12 years. She works with individual families who have chosen, for a multitude of reasons, to educate their children from home but with the support and guidance of a public school. This year, Shelly has decided to take things to the next level and work towards her master's degree, studying design for e-learning experiences and has found it to be an inspiring and very useful adventure.
NEW! Trades Award
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is now offering qualified women in San Juan County to apply for our $3,500 Trades Award.
This award is specifically designed to help women gain vocational trades skills to fill high paying jobs that are in great demand in our community.
To be eligible for this award, an applicant:
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has graduated from high school or has earned a State issued GED (General Education Development) certificate;
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must be enrolled in, or accepted into,an accredited trade skills training program for Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Marine Maintenance, or Welding;
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and able to demonstrate financial need.
2025 Trade Award Recipient
We are pleased to announce the first and deserving recipient of the new Trades Award of 2025. Lauryl Gaumer received the $3,500 award.
Lauryl started Friday Harbor Fabrication in 2023 after moving to San Juan Island. With her partner, they create architectural metalwork. From the CAD design to fabrication to installation, they work with metal (and touches of glass) to add safety and accentuate the home. With the help from the Trades Educational Award, Lauryl will work towards earning her Structural Welding Certificate at Skagit Community College.
With a structural certificate, Lauryl will be able to do the welding and fabrication for engineered infrastructure. She will also be able to help complete needed construction projects and this certificate will widen the array of processes her shop can provide. In addition to growing her business, Lauryl has a passion for teaching and giving back to the community. She is preparing to teach her first Economic Development Council (EDC) welding class as part of their Trades Training Initiative. This class is designed to help students learn the basics of welding, with plans for a follow-up course focused on designing, fabricating, welding, and finishing metal objects.
Quote from Lauryl: "I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to finding ways to share my gained expertise with this amazing community. "
2024 High School Scholarships Recipients
Soroptimist International Friday Harbor is proud to have awarded selected graduating high school students with scholarships during the Friday Harbor High School Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Nancy Buechner, President of Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, presented scholarships to five outstanding high school girls at the graduation ceremony. Soroptimists awarded four $2000 awards and one $3000 award.
The award winners are Adriana Guerrero, Ava Martin, Ella Raichlen, Grace Eltinge & Maria Magana-Navarro (listed alphabetically). We are very proud of these young women and know they will make the world a better place as they pursue their goals.
Adriana plans to earn an associate degree in Medical Assisting at Renton Community College. Then, she hopes to continue on to become an RN. She has a passion for healthcare and the opportunity to contribute to patient care and well-being.
Ava will study environmental science and or International and Public Affairs at Brown, University. Her plan is to Study environmental science to better understand the pressures on the environment, as well as studying international and public affairs to learn about how global environmental protection can be ensured through diplomacy on an international level.
Ella plans to earn a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a minor in business marketing at Washington State University at Pullman. She has chosen to focus on these two fields to help build a skillset and jumpstart her future business endeavors in the fitness industry.
Maria will study Journalism and Marketing at Whatcom Community College. She looks forward to completing all the transfer requirements and then transferring to a four-year college or university.
Grace will study education at Oregon State University and earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She will pursue a master’s degree once she secures a teaching position. Her ultimate goal is to return to the island and teach. On a trip to Honduras, she witnessed first-hand the effect of the lack of education of children. She learned the value one person can have on the effect on someone's life and would love to be that person for children.
2023 Ruby Award Recipient
Rachelle Radonski
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is honored to award Rachelle Radonski for her role in supporting women, children, and families in the community.
Rachelle has been managing the Friday Harbor Food Bank since 2019. The Food Bank is open to the public and is a non-profit under the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture that operates solely on contributions and community donations.
Rachelle works tirelessly to bring efforts together with other island food programs and donations. She teams with Meals on Wheels and the Family Resource Center to help pack food for deliveries.
In 2020, she started “Order by Phone” in 2020 for those who cannot get to the Food Bank. The Food Bank also provides children with the breakfasts and lunches they are missing when not in school through the Summer Kids Program.
Rachelle is most proud of the expansion and new storefront that was completed in January 2023 with more opportunities and privacy for customers.
The Food Bank serves approximately 115 households on Wednesdays and 190 on Saturdays and average 75 online orders every week and is a valuable resource to the community.
Live Your Dream Award
This award helps women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and training. To be eligible for this award, an applicant must be enrolled in or accepted into an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program, the primary wage earner in her household, and able to demonstrate financial need. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, such as tuition, books, childcare, or transportation.
Recipients of our local $4,000 award are eligible for additional cash awards from other levels of the world-wide Soroptimist organization, up to $16,000 finalist awards.
Each year, more than $2.8 million in education grants are awarded to over 1,700 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse and/or substance abuse.
Our 2024 Live Your Dream Award winner from San Juan Island requested anonymity and is very grateful for the financial assistance to fulfil her aspirations.
Please see home page around August 15 for details on to apply for the 2025 Live Your Dream Award.