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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. Scholarships may also be available for previous recipients who are continuing their studies.

Scholarship nominations are due each February, and the CQC awards scholarships from the pool of nominees in April. Scholarship recipients also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC’s Annual Conference in June. Learn more about the application and nomination process.

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Congratulations to the 2024 CQC scholarship recipients

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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.

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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.

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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.

Meet the 2023 CQC scholarship recipients

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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