Scholarship recipients
Each year, all of Washington’s 281 cities and towns can recruit and nominate high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue post-secondary education.
The AWC Center for Quality Communities scholarship is supported by individual donors who are passionate about inspiring and recognizing youth leadership in municipal government. The AWC CQC is pleased to have awarded 74 scholarships to date, resulting in over $139,000 of funding as of 2024. Learn more about the application and nomination process.
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Meet the 2024 CQC scholarship recipients
Congratulations to the 2024 CQC scholarship recipients
Tanya Bhandari – Bothell As student body president and youth attorney for the Bothell Youth Court, Tanya is preparing to study law and eventually run for public office. She is motivated by a desire to open doors for those who strive to make change along unconventional paths and is especially passionate about advocating for women who face barriers to running for office. Tanya has hosted a school voter registration drive with League of Women Voters and Secretary of State and been an active participant in Bothell’s Civic Saturday events. She serves on her school district’s Youth Advisory Board and is the longest-serving volunteer on the Teen Board of Bothell Library. Tanya also serves on the local Model United Nations Executive Board and was recognized with an award for best position paper at the MIT Model United Nations Conference. |
Jorge Gaytan Garcia – Connell As a first-generation Latino student, Jorge aspires to challenge healthcare stereotypes by becoming the first male nurse in his family. Motivated by the lack of male Hispanic healthcare professionals, he aims to break down barriers and provide culturally comprehensive care to underserved communities. Jorge is already active in public health and wellness as an agricultural tractor driver and a volunteer at local food banks, sorting and packaging food. As a youth lobbyist with the Washington Bus and Progreso (Latino Progress) group, he advocates for positive change at the state level. Jorge’s extracurricular activities range from competing on his school’s Knowledge Bowl, math, and robotics teams to playing varsity tennis. He takes pride in being recognized as a Hispanic Academic Achiever for nine consecutive years and serving as part of the Junior Class Honor Guard. Jorge has also participated in community service and leadership development with the San Juan Diego Mission Youth Group, where he has served as a bilingual teaching assistant and translator. |
Indiana Hilmes – Selah Passionate about creating change through collaboration and drawing on multiple perspectives to solve problems, Indiana plans to study international economics and work in public policy. As a teen journalist for the Yakima Herald-Republic, she shares the perspectives of youth with readers across the Yakima Valley. Indiana also works as an intern for the Washington State Board of Education, where she uses the stories she hears from students and professionals from all over the state to help improve Washington's education system. She is a student representative to the Selah School Board, co-chair of the Yakima Valley Community Foundation Youth Council, and National Student Advisory Council Member for the Work2BeWell mental health and wellness program. |
2023 recipients
Faith Bowden, Wilbur • Brandon Elliott, Lakewood • Harmony Grace, SeaTac • Rishi Hazra, Issaquah • Gigi Hendrickson, Bainbridge Island • Benen Lawler, Poulsbo • Alex Vicuna Perez, Tukwila • Claire Warthen, Bremerton
2022 recipients
Jennifer Farias, Bridgeport • Jazz Frazier, Longview • Serenity Inman, Tukwila • Ryan Reamy, Issaquah • McKenna Roberts, Okanogan • Gloria Arauja Ruiz, Lakewood
2021 recipients
Piper Bauer, Okanogan • Lynda “Brisa” Hernandez, Pasco • Kaden Anderson, Cathlamet • Jacob Lockman, White Salmon • Gloria Arauja Ruiz, Lakewood • Alejandra Pulido, Bremerton
2020 recipients
Edgar Quiroz Sanchez, Pasco • Federico Colin, Jr., Bridgeport • Joo Gyeong Kim, Lakewood • Leah Tran, Tacoma • Milena Johnson, Pullman • Nivedita Kumar, Mukilteo
2019 recipients
Colt Corrigan, Chelan • Silvia Esparza, Quincy • Sargun Handa, Mukilteo • Chanelle Hunt, Cusick • Gabriela Ruiz Heras, Vancouver • Katrina Wagner, Enumclaw • Kristina Te, Tukwila • Collin Pittmann, Rosalia
2018 recipients
Johana Ocampo Becerra, Mount Vernon • Nayeli Cervantes, Pasco • Zachariah Fincher, Friday Harbor • Savannah Kimzey, Yakima • Evarosa Perry, Cheney • Collin Pittmann, Rosalia • Hannah Stewart, Mercer Island • Kristina Te, Tukwila
2017 recipients
Abigail Brandt, Mill Creek • Uyen (Cathy) Dao, Sequim • Kristina Dorris, Soap Lake • Rosalyn Goveia, Ellensburg • Claudia Penney, Lakewood • Amber Torell, Longview
2016 recipients
Carson Bergstrom, Pasco • Grae Hill, Lacey • Johana Ocampo, Mount Vernon • Alisha Purdom, Marysville • Kioko Soneda, Burlington • Ethan Toth, Wenatchee
2015 recipients
Zachary Anders, Lynnwood • Nandina Cengic, Tukwila • Nayeli Cervantes, Pasco • Isabel Gabriel, Friday Harbor • Simran Handa, Mukilteo • Dagmawit Kemal, Seattle • Olesya Mironchuk, Seattle • Joanna Santana, Quincy • Tin Vo, Seattle • Jalen Wright, Seattle
2014 recipients
Katelyn Dolan, Liberty Lake • Prabha Dublish, Sammamish • Lucas Gordon, Anacortes • Nina Klinkhammer, Lakewood
2013 recipients
Emina Dacic, Tukwila • Michael Dyer, Kelso • Danielle Larson, Almira • Elizabeth McKeen, Anacortes • Ce’Nedra Thomas, Latah • Kendall Todd, Odessa
2012 recipients
Mason Cole, Anacortes • Colleen Delp, Dayton • Sonja Sanchez, Bridgeport • Russell Wiita, Sultan
