The Association of Washington Cities Center for Quality Communities (CQC) has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships.
This year’s recipients, hailing from the cities of Burlington, Lakewood, and Okanogan, were nominated by city officials and staff from their communities based on their leadership skills and dedication to civic service.
To be eligible, high school students must be nominated by one of Washington’s 281 cities and towns. Only one nominee is selected per city for consideration in the statewide CQC scholarship competition.
The scholarship fund is supported solely by donations from generous individuals, foundations, and organizations wishing to invest in the future of our communities.
“The future looks bright with young adults like these paving the way,” remarked AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “These students are already outstanding leaders in their communities today, and I look forward to seeing all they will achieve in their future endeavors.”
The three outstanding Washington high school seniors will each receive a $3,000 scholarship to use for college or trade school this fall. In addition, they receive an invitation and stipend to speak at the AWC Annual Conference in Kennewick, Washington, in June, where they will have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of local elected leaders from across the state.
Since 2012, the CQC scholarship program has awarded 74 scholarships providing educational funding to students from all around the state. Prior recipients have gone on to launch impressive careers in public service, elected office, government, law, finance, STEM, medicine, communications, education, public safety, IT, and more.
Emily Jones – Burlington
Emily grew up immersed in social activism and grounded in a bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural identity, which has shaped how she views her role in society. She’s also been influenced by her work as an intern with Skagit Legal Aid, which has led her to rural communities and remote islands in Skagit County to provide language services and lead outreach campaigns to help migrant farmworkers access legal aid.
Her interest in outreach led Emily to take on public relations roles for ASB, DECA, and the Rotary Interact Club. She also performs with her school's top choir ensemble, plays on the tennis team, and is an accomplished thespian.
Emily owns and runs a successful online jewelry shop with nearly 100K followers—and she donates a portion of her profits to support local causes. Her success has inspired her to pursue a career in commercial or business law, with an eye toward helping local and marginalized small business owners access the resources they need to succeed.
Through all of her multifaceted experiences, Emily has come to believe that the fight for justice is about using your voice and your resources to uplift others.
Alexandra Corona Hernandez – Lakewood
A first-generation high school graduate, Alexandra is driven by her vision of becoming the first Dr. Hernandez in her family. She plans to pursue a Master of Public Health and an M.D. in Radiology.
As a young Hispanic woman with a growing awareness of underrepresentation, Alexandra joined the City of Lakewood Youth Council to make her voice heard and advocate for the young people in her community. As Youth Council secretary, she played a key role in planning the annual Lakewood Youth Summit. She has also worked for Lakewood Parks and Recreation, served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and chaired the Environmental Health Committee.
Alexandra is captain of the varsity tennis team, a science tutor, and still finds time for a part-time restaurant job. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, serves as Spanish Honors Society President, and has been honored with many academic and leadership awards.
Hayden Swartsel – Okanogan
Hayden is well on his way to his dream of serving his community as a paramedic or a firefighter/paramedic, with the ultimate goal of serving as a flight paramedic. He serves on the Okanogan Volunteer Fire Department and is working toward an EMT certification. In the fall, he will begin work toward a degree in EMS Paramedicine at Central Washington University.
Much of Hayden’s spare time is also dedicated to community health and safety. He founded the first Fire Club at his school to promote fire safety and prevention, serves as a volunteer Skywarn Storm Spotter for the National Weather Service, and serves on the Okanogan County Youth Leadership Council, helping remove barriers local teens face around reproductive health, mental health, and addiction.
Hayden also serves as Pride Coordinator with the Foundation for Youth Resiliency and Engagement (FYRE), a nonprofit youth center that provides healthy recreation opportunities and resources for succeeding in a rural and resource-deprived region. Last summer, Hayden led the coordination of FYRE’s largest annual event, Pride in the Park.
An accomplished artist and actor as well, Hayden has exhibited at two gallery shows in Twisp and starred in a number of high school drama productions. He made his directorial debut last year when he stepped up and directed his school’s spring show himself.
About the Center for Quality Communities
The AWC Center for Quality Communities is a 501(c)(3) partner of the Association of Washington Cities. The Center promotes municipal leadership development and civic engagement in pursuit of building strong, healthy communities—because we know that strong cities make a great state.
The CQC scholarship program aims to raise the visibility of the important role cities and towns play in Washington by cultivating our future local leaders.
Visit the CQC website to learn more and donate to the scholarship fund.