2023 Scholarship Recipients

DDEF Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship winners!

 

David Douglas Educational Foundation (DDEF) Scholarship

Andrea Thi - $1,000

Andrea is an excellent student who also participated at David Douglas in College Possible as well as the Volleyball and Basketball teams.  She has helped extensively with family care, meals, etc. To help with family bills and to save for college, she has spent many hours working at Pizza Baron, Fred Meyer, and Seasweets Poke. 

Andrea hopes to attend the University of Oregon, majoring in psychology with a minor in criminology.  Further, she plans to apply for the FBI Academy to train for a position as a profiler or investigator. 

She also hopes to help make her mother’s dream come true by helping her family members have a better life and education. 

 

Andrea Thi, DDEF Scholarship winner

David Douglas Educational Foundation (DDEF) Scholarship

Duy Nguyen - $1000

An excellent student, Duy has also been an active participant in Student Council, Link Crew, the DDHS Tennis Team, and Asian Student Union. He also found time to participate in Upward Bound, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, worked part-time at KUMON, volunteered for a food pantry and dance organization, and assisted in major family duties including making payments and cooking.

Duy Nguyen intends to pursue an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary fields related to brain science (cognitive science, neuroscience, neurobiology).  To prepare for this, he is a student-intern at OHSU attending weekly lectures and learning to propose and conduct research.  He plans to attend graduate school and then enroll in PhD coursework to conduct brain research.  Duy plans to attend Stanford, Pomona College or Rice University. He hopes to make neuroscience and psychology more accessible and easier for the public to understand.    

 

Duy Nguyen, DDEF Scholarship winner

DDEF Counselor’s choice Scholarship

Jacquelin Moo Camaal - $1000

In the fall, Jacquelin will be attending Mt Hood Community College where she plans to study Psychology and Pre-Law. She later intends to transfer to Portland State University and then attend law school. She continues to stay busy working at Target and excelling at school. In her rare free time, she enjoys listening to music which she finds is a great way to relax and stay positive. Jacquelin makes her home in Southeast Portland and lives with her parents. 

Jacquelin Moo Camaal, DDEF Counselor’s Choice Scholarship winner

DDEF fir ridge Counselor's Choice Scholarship

Michaela Cowan - $1000

Michaela is the 2023 Fir Ridge Student of the Year.  She plans to attend Portland Community College in the fall.  She also received the Future Connect scholarship through PCC and plans to participate in that program to help her navigate being a first generation college student.

Michaela Cowan, DDEF Fir Ridge Counselor’s Choice Scholarship

 

Other 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Fir Ridge Moore Parker Scholarship

Nevaeh Prindel - $500

 

Walter E. Dillon Scholarship

Jian (Andy) Tan - $500

 

Denise Lisac Scholarship

Duy Nguyen - $1000

Leslie V. Rendon-Ramirez - $1000

Jean Bruck Scholarship

La Vareon Caesar - $500

Alina Mello - $500

 

Donald E. Harrel Scholarship

Jenny Le - $500

 

Christopher Family Scholarship

Isaac L. John Baptiste - $1000

 

Ralph Howlett Music Scholarship

Olivia Eyestone - $1500

 
 

2022 Scholarship Recipients

 

David Douglas Educational Foundation (DDEF) Scholarship

Mark Mosad - $1000
Olivia Ye - $1000

 

Fir Ridge Moore Parker Scholarship

Alexis Bischoff - $500

 

Walter E Dillon Scholarship

Olivia Ye - $500 

 

Horner Performing Artist Scholarship

Denzel Menjivar - $1000

 

DDEF Counselor's Choice Scholarship

Hani Tran - $1000

 

Jean Bruck Scholarship

Esther Alvarez - $500

Fayth Nash - $500

 

Donald E.Harrel Scholarship

Marta Solomon - $500

 

Denise Lisac Scholarship

Gavin Le - $1000
Kabyanjali Amatya - $1000

 

DDEF Fir Ridge Counselor’s Choice Scholarship

Rahma Al-Zaida

 

Christopher Family Scholarship

Ashley Guzman - $1000

 

Ralph Howlett Music Scholarship

Gavin Le - $1500

 

Scholarship Recipient News

We always enjoy hearing from our scholarship recipients and their plans for the future!

Following are notes from past scholarship winners.

Donald e. harrel scholarship, June 2023

My name is Jenny Le. Sorry for contacting you so late about the Donald E. Harrell Memorial Scholarship and was unable to be there in person at David Douglas’ Senior Recognition night. When I heard the news that I had won, I was in shock, ecstatic, and overjoyed. I feel extremely grateful that the family of Mr.Harrel has chosen me for this award. Thank you so much; this award will ease my financial burden and will set me up so much for success.

DDEF fir ridge Counselor's Choice Scholarship, June 2023

I wanted to thank you again for this amazing scholarship, it will undoubtedly help me pursue success in college! But I also wanted to apologize if my response during the graduation ceremony seemed at all ungrateful, it was a surreal but amazing event. I’m largely unsure as to what the next step is regarding the scholarship, I’ll be attending PCC this upcoming fall term and I’ll be sure to talk to my college advisor there concerning this. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity! I look forward to hearing back from you. 

With gratitude, Kayla Cowan. 

Howard Horner Performing Arts Scholarship

This June 2021 scholarship winner wasted no time in sending his thanks:

My name is Bruce Yan and I was nominated to receive the Howard F. Horner Performing Arts scholarship. First of all, I cannot express how thankful I am to have received this scholarship . In addition, I am very grateful for the help and guidance I've received from the music teachers at David Douglas throughout my four years.

Thank you!
Bruce Yan

HOWLETT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

We received this note in September 2021. This Howlett Scholarship winner will be attending the University of Oregon this Fall.

Thank you for selecting me to receive this scholarship. After learning guitar for the last five years and percussion for the last eight, I am proud to say music has become one of the most important things in my life. Music has allowed me to connect with many amazing people, as well as helped me to appreciate all the beauty life has to offer. Along with the support of my teachers, friends, and family, music will continue to drive me through college and beyond as I make my place in the world. Thank you for all of your support.

Sincerely, Elijah Wright, 2021 Howlett Music Scholarship Recipient

CHRISTOPHER SCHOLARSHIP

Thank you for your generous scholarship donation! Your donation will allow me to pursue a nursing degree at University of Portland and lessen the financial burden of tuition. I hope to one day become a Nurse Practitioner and open a free clinic to serve the Southeast Portland and David Douglas area. Through your donation, I am able to pursue my goals and make my community and the world a better place. Your generosity has inspired me to give back to the community.

Sincerely, Emily Kostyuk (2020 Scholarship winner)

thank you notes from 2019 Scholarship recipients:

Howard Horner Performing Arts Scholarship

Thank you so much for your generous donation regarding the Howard F. Horner Performing Arts Scholarship! I am very excited to attend Pacific Lutheran University as a performance major and this scholarship will help my journey through college.

Thank you, Naomi Southard (2019 Scholarship winner)

DAVID DOUGLAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (DDEF) SCHOLARSHIP

To The David Douglas Educational Foundation, I am so grateful and honored to be the recipient of the DDEF scholarship this year.

This fall, I will be attending the University of Oregon as a Human Physiology major. I am so so excited to begin this next chapter of my life.

Thank you very much for your generosity and contribution to my future.

Sincerely, Tam Danh (2019 Scholarship winner)


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Donald e. harrel scholarship

Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to go to college debt free.  This means so much to me and my family.  As a refugee, this means so much to me because I get to go to college and chase my dreams.  I will forever be grateful for this opportunity the Donald E Harrel has provided me. 

Thank you so much, Naima Daule (2019 Scholarship winner)

HOWLETT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

We received an update in 2019 from Wynne Chen, our 2018 Howlett Scholarship winner, telling us about her first year of college.  She attended Cornell University in New York during 2018-2019.  Here’s her news:

“I am currently majoring in Nutritional Sciences on the registered dietitian track and am thinking of minoring in computer science. I am happy to say that I have handled the work load pretty well and ended the year with a 3.9 GPA! The computer your scholarship funded has been such a life saver. There were days when it is negative 30 outside and snowing so hard and luckily I didn’t have to trek to the library. I’ve also been able to be more productive during small pockets of time because I can just pull out my laptop to do work between classes.

“…I am so glad I could keep playing trombone as a member of the Big Red Marching Band and Cornell University Wind Symphony! As you know, band was a huge part of my high school life and I’m fortunate enough to be able to continue playing music in college. I love the movie nights, video game nights, and socials that both bands host where I can unwind and take a break from the rigorous academics. It has also given me a community I can rely on away from home.

“…I can’t believe that my first year of college is over! I’ll admit that the midterm averages are scarily low, finals week is definitely not fun, and being so far from home is hard, but I think I’ve grown so much this first year. I can’t wait for the next three years where I hope to keep making new friends, get involved in research, and hopefully study abroad somewhere in Europe my junior/senior year. Thank you again for helping me in the money department so that I can succeed academically and get the best Cornell experience!”

 

2018 Scholarship Recipient Correspondence

 

Scott Rasmussen Scholarship Recipient  

Scholarship committee members,

I would like to thank you for awarding me your scholarship!

Your scholarship made me more excited about the opportunities for my future.  Growing up in Iraq, there was a very small chance that I would be able to earn a degree and reach my goals.  Every time I remember this, I work twice as hard.  Today, I am a person with a sense of purpose who chases and creates new opportunities.  With your scholarship, I will be able to pursue my educational goals, where I would be able to, one day, reflect the significant impacts I have made on my community members’ lives in a positive manner.

Again, thank you so much for your scholarship because it will allow me to focus more on the most important aspect, my education.  I hope that you will continue to grant other students your scholarship because it will make their path of pursuing their education and reaching their goals more attainable.

Sincerely,
Bedour Al Manea

 

Jean Bruck/Alice Ott Middle School Scholarship Recipient

Dear Donor of the Jean Bruck Scholarship,

I want to say thank you for honoring me with this scholarship.  This money will aid my family and myself in paying for my tuition tremendously.  I will be attending Pacific University in Forest Grove to study social work and Spanish while also running cross country.  Again, thank you for this scholarship, it means so much.

Sincerely,
Morgan Henry



David Douglas Educational Foundation (DDEF) Scholarship Recipient

Dear DDEF,

 I am honored to be one of the recipients of the David Douglas Educational Foundation Scholarship.  Growing up in a less privileged community has not only offered financial and academic challenges, but has helped me realize the value of education.  I will be starting my undergraduate career as a freshman at the University of Oregon.  My plans at this stage are to complete a major in Journalism and a minor in Business.  I am hoping to graduate in 3 instead of 4 years with the help of my dual credit through Mt. Hood Community College, but none of my educational pursuits would be possible without the generous support from scholarship sponsors like your organization.

 Thank you for enabling this opportunity. 

Ashtyn Darnell

Howlett Scholarship Recipient

Hello Howlett family,

First off, I want to thank you for supporting me on my college journey.  I am beyond humbled and honored to have been chosen for this scholarship.  I am Wynne Chen, an incoming freshman at Cornell University who plans to study nutritional sciences.  I love, love food and have always been interested about what goes on inside of our bodies after we eat. I hope to one day be a sports nutritionist who works with athletes or a community nutritionist who educates the public (especially kids) about healthy eating habits.

I am grateful to have music to balance out all the heavy STEM courses.  My best experience in high school is definitely being part of the band program, as a drum major, a section leader, and a member.  Band has taught me how to be a leader, to work hard, work with others, to listen…but most importantly, I found my family at school in band. Therefore, joining band was a no-brainer for an Oregonian like me who is venturing alone to vast, foreign New York.  I cannot wait to play music with new people and become a part of another welcoming musical community.

I know that I’ll have a blast and can even get a nice laptop using your scholarship for school. (My first one too!)  Thank you again for investing in me.

Best,
Wynne Chen

 

Walter E. Dillon Scholarship Recipient

Dear Donor,

I am writing to thank you for your generous $500 scholarship.  I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship.  I am a chemistry major with a biochemistry track at the University of San Francisco and plan on pursuing a career in biomedical research upon graduation.  Thanks to you, I am one step closer to my goal.  By awarding me with the Walter E. Dillon scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden, allowing me to focus on other matters as I prepare for the upcoming year.  Your generosity is an inspiration to myself and the David Douglas community.  Thank you again for all of your help.

Sincerely,
An Tran

Donald E. Harrel Memorial Scholarship Recipient

It is an honor to be a recipient of the Donald E. Harrel Scholarship.  Your contribution will help further my education and help me become a more knowledgeable member of society.  I will use my education to best serve my community!

All the Best,
Elizabeth “Lisa” Vu