SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Apply for a Scholarship!
(at least $1,000)

Graduating Kittitas County Seniors are eligible to apply.

In the last 15 years, we have awarded over $65,600 to 53 high school seniors in Kittitas County. The scholarship amount varies from year to year.

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Deadline for 2024:

March 1, 2024

2023 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to be able to award $9,600 in scholarship funds in 2023. Thanks to the giving generosity of the Kittitas County community, we were able to provide $2,400 to our Violet Burke Carollo Scholarship recipient,  $1,800 each to our Trades Scholarship and Agricultural Scholarship recipients.

Violet Burke Carollo Scholarship Recipient:   Dakota Watts of Ellensburg High School

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Trygve Starkovich of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
  • Rachael Bator of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School

Trades-Related Scholarship Recipients:

  • Andrew Flood of Kittitas High School
  • Brendon Trudell of Kittitas High School

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is proud of these five local seniors and their determination to pursue an education after graduating high school.  Our three Agricultural Scholarship winners have demonstrated a strong history of participation in agricultural activities such as 4-H, Grange Livestock or FFA, including working on a family ranch. They are active in numerous school and community activities and have shown academic excellence throughout their high school career.  Each of our three Agricultural Scholarship winners are heading off to a four-year college this fall.

Our Trade School Scholarship winners have shown an interest in and aptitude for engines and all things automotive.  They will continue their education by attending Perry Technical Institute in Yakima to learn more about the automotive industry.  To prepare for this work they have taken courses and job-shadowed in a diesel mechanics shop while being a high school student.
 

2023 Recipients’ Bios

These five young people will all pursue post-secondary education at universities or trade schools. Three of the recipients have received college credits from Running Start and College in the High School during their four years. Our Agricultural and Trades scholarships are offered every year to all graduating seniors in Kittitas County.
 

Dakota Watts

Dakota Watts is the winner of our Violet Carollo Burke Scholarship. This new Agriculture based scholarship is awarded to the student who embodies Violet’s love of animals and farming and the rural way of life she still enjoys on her farm in the Teanaway.
 
That same philosophy is shown in Dakota’s statement, “I find joy in serving others, especially four legged ones. I am passionate about animal science, advancing and advocating for the industry that raised me, supported me, and developed me into who I am today.”
 
Dakota is a graduate of Ellensburg High School and daughter of Dori Watts of Ellensburg.
 
She plans to attend the University of Wyoming and double-major in Agricultural Business and Pre-Veterinary studies. From an early age Dakota knew that she wanted to be a large animal veterinarian. She has been an active member of 4-H for nine years, three years as club treasurer, and FFA for 4 years, in which she was club secretary for all four years.  She is also a two-year member and club president of the newly re-organized Manastash Grange.
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Trygve Starkovich

Trygve Starkovich of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and son of Michael and Amy Starkovich of Cle Elum plans to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho to pursue a degree in civil engineering. He participated in football and golf all four years of high school while working on the family farm and as a lifeguard at Suncadia.
 
Born into a farming family Trygve grew up helping to irrigate, grow and harvest hay. While working on the farm he became concerned about the quality and availability of water for people and farms. He hopes to learn more about water resources and systems in college “as bringing water to farms and humans around the world is very important to me.”
 
In February of 2022 Trygve earned the rank of Eagle Scout. As a Boy Scout he created a historical boundary around the Silvio Roslyn Cemetery and was asked to be a speaker at the local Heritage Club sharing the troop’s projects and events.
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Rachael Bator

Rachael Bator of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and daughter of Darcy and Mike Bator of Cle Elum plans to attend the College of Southern Idaho and study archaeology with an emphasis on Native American cultures.
 
During her senior year Rachael was on the committee to meet and speak with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council on what being a Warrior, Cle Elum-Roslyn’s high school team name, meant to her.  This work with the Yakama Nation gave Rachael insight into the importance of words and symbols in native culture.
 
Rachael is co-valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA and involved in many activities including Roslyn Riders Horse Club, and varsity soccer, basketball and softball. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Class of 2023 ASB Board Member, Key Club member and secretary, and Ellensburg Posse Jr. Rodeo participant for four years.
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Andrew Flood

Andrew Flood of Kittitas High School and grandson of Linda and Colin Flood of Ellensburg plans to attend Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, Washington.
 
Andrew has always had an interest in engines and becoming an automotive technician. During his senior year he was able to job shadow at a local diesel mechanics shop which motivated him to learn more about the automotive industry.
 
To prepare for his future in mechanics Andrew has taken courses in small engines, engineering design, and computer integrated design.
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Brendon Trudell

Brendon Trudell of Kittitas High School and son of Amy Trudell plans to attend Perry Technical Institute and study automotive technology. Brendon attended YV-Tech, a technical school in Yakima where he took automotive courses taught by master technicians. He was able to achieve 5 ASE certifications before he turned 18.
 
When not studying automotives Brendon was the ASB Vice-president, participated in track and field and was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).  Brendon’s future goal would be to own a custom car shop.
 

More About the Grange Scholarship Program

As the community celebrates the latest Grange scholarship recipients, it is a reminder of the importance of investing in the future generations. The Grange’s commitment to educational excellence and community engagement sets an example for other organizations, encouraging them to prioritize youth development and provide avenues for young individuals to flourish. The impact of the Grange scholarships extends far beyond the monetary assistance provided. Recipients become ambassadors of the organization’s values and mission, inspiring their peers to excel academically, engage with their communities, and strive for personal growth. These young scholars become the torchbearers of positive change, embodying the spirit of service and leadership that the Grange advocates.
 
Since 2008, the Swauk-Teanaway Grange has awarded $65,600 to graduating seniors from Kittitas County high schools. For more information about this scholarship or to find out more about membership in the Grange, contact Lynn Ahlers at issygreeneyes@gmail.com or check out more on this website.  You can also follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information on our programs and events.

Who Will Be Next? APPLY NOW!

Introducing our newest Scholarship inspired by the memory of the nurturing character of its namesake, the Violet Carollo Burke Scholarship

In 2023 we were pleased to announce a new scholarship known as the Violet Carollo Burke Scholarship.

At 97 years of age, Violet Carollo Burke passed away on September 30, 2023.  She was an incredible woman and an inspiration to many. Our Grange Scholarship in her name will continue to be offered in her memory.

This is awarded to the student who embodies Violet’s love of farming and her giving spirit.

The first recipient of this Scholarship, awarded in 2023, is Dakota Watts.

Long-time Grange member Violet Carollo Burke looked back on her life as a farmer in the Teanaway.
From the beginning, this young farm wife loved the feeling of the valley, the small towns and the rural territories surrounding them.
Quoted in the Northern Kittitas County Tribune in 2007, Violet shared a philosophy she had long lived with.

“On a farm I’ve learned so much about the Earth, about growing things, about common sense. You have to care for it. You have to nurture it.”

     We are looking for a student who shares this philosophy of wise stewardship of the land.

 

See the Scholarship Applications below.

"I really do enjoy the forest. It is so peaceful to go there and work." Violet Carollo Burke (1926~2023)

     To our friends in the community who also care about “growing the future” through investing in our young people’s agricultural and trades-related education and are able to do so, please make a donation to our Scholarship Fund. This way we can continue to offer these scholarships to graduating seniors (this year and beyond) wishing to continue their education.
     We are a 501c(8) not-for-profit organization, so donations to our Scholarship Program are tax deductible. You can make your donation right here on the website (see sidebar for the donation form), or mail a check to:

Swauk-Teanaway Scholarship Fund
PO Box 401, Cle Elum, WA 98922

Thank you so much for your support!
Liz Doyle, Swauk-Teanaway Grange President
Lynn Ahlers, Scholarship Committee Chair

College or University Scholarship

Download Agricultural Scholarship Application

Trades-Related Scholarship

Download Trades Related Scholarship Application

Eligibility & Application (College/University OR Trade-Related)

Also this year – The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is again offering an agriculture-based scholarship and a trades-related scholarship. We have traditionally offered a scholarship to students going on to higher education who have a background in agriculture. In addition, we want to support students who plan to go into the trades such as plumbing, construction related fields, iron work, graphics or culinary.  Please choose the download button for the application that applies to your background and future plans.

To be eligible for either of these scholarships, you must be a high school senior graduating in Kittitas County.

Please download the scholarship application to view the requirements for each scholarship. The scholarship for students with agricultural background and the scholarship for students seeking training in a trade both require a fully completed application be received by the deadline for the respective scholarship. This must include an official transcript for all completed courses. Please keep copies of your application materials for future reference.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Do not include resumes or letters of recommendation with your application (college/university or trade-related).

When complete, mail Application Materials To:

Swauk-Teanaway Grange Scholarship Committee
PO Box 401
Cle Elum, WA  98922

PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2022 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to be able to award $8,000 in scholarship funds in 2022. Due to the pandemic the Grange was unable to provide a scholarship dinner to the community which in years past has funded the scholarships. Yet, because of the giving generosity of the Kittitas County community we were able to provide $2,000 scholarships to each of the four recipients for their post-secondary education.

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Katie Blume of Ellensburg High School
  • Chloe Mattson of Ellensburg High School
  • Madeline Meyer of Ellensburg High School

Trades-Related Scholarship Recipient:

  • Danielle Hays of Ellensburg High School

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is proud of these local seniors who have demonstrated a strong history of participation in agricultural activities such as 4-H, FFA, to working on a family ranch. They are active in numerous school and community activities and have shown academic excellence throughout their high school career.

They will all pursue post-secondary education at universities, community colleges and trade schools. Three of the recipients have received college credits from Running Start and College in the High School during their high school years. This scholarship is open every year to all seniors in Kittitas County.

2021 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to be able to award $10,000 in scholarship funds in 2021. Due to the pandemic the Grange was unable to provide a scholarship dinner to the community which in years past has funded the scholarships. Yet, because of the giving generosity of the Kittitas County community, we were able to provide $2,000 scholarships to each of the five recipients for their post-secondary education. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Dustin Hansberry of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
  • Cora Clift of Ellensburg High School
  • Bailey Sherley of Ellensburg High School
  • Kelby Tostenson of Kittitas Secondary School

Trades-Related Scholarship Recipient:

  • Griffin Bator of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
2021 Recipients: (left to right) Kelby Tostenson, Bailey Sherley, Cora Clift, Dustin Hansberry, Griffin Bator

2020 Recipients

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Swauk-Teanaway Grange will award $6,000 in scholarships in 2020. Four graduating seniors from Kittitas County will each receive $1,500 to help pay for the costs of their post-secondary education. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Grace Terrill of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
  • Grace Allphin of Kittitas Secondary School
  • Payton Lyyski of Ellensburg High School

Trades-Related Scholarship First Recipient:

  • Andrew Hastings of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
2020 Recipients (left to right): Grace Terrill, Andrew Hastings, Payton Lyyski, Grace Allphin

2019 Recipients

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Swauk-Teanaway Grange is able to award $6,000 in scholarship funds in 2019.  A scholarship of $1,500 is being awarded to each of the following.

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Tyler Clerf of Thorp High School
  • Dawn Smith of Ellensburg High School
  • Gracie Loen of Ellensburg High School
  • Carlee Houle of Easton High School
2019 Recipients (left to right): Dawn Smith, Carlee Houle, Gracie Loen and Tyler Clerf

2018 Recipients

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Swauk-Teanaway Grange is able to award $5,000 in scholarship funds in 2018.  A scholarship for $1,000 is being awarded to each of the following.

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Madelynn Olson of Ellensburg High School
  • Eli Lonowski of Ellensburg High School
  • Mikaila Montgomery of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
  • Natasha Vincett of Kittitas High School
  • Seneca Dehuff of Easton High School
2018 Recipients: (clockwise from top left) Madelynn Olson, Seneca Dehuff, Mikaila Montgomery, Eli Lonowski and Natasha Vincett

2017 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present a total of $4,000 in scholarships to the following 5 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Katherine Tasker of Ellensburg High School ($1,000)
  • Megan Ray of Ellensburg High School ($1,000)
  • Laura Johnson of Ellensburg High School ($1,000)
  • Bailey Buchholz of Ellensburg High School ($500)
  • Jessie Weaver of Easton High School ($500)
2017 Recipients: (left to right) Katherine Tasker, Bailey Buchholz, Meagan Ray and Laura Johnson
2017 Scholarship Committee Chair Sally Giliand and recipient Jessie Weaver

2016 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present a total of $3,000 in scholarships to the following 3 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Kimberly Lonowski of Ellensburg High School
  • Travis Gylling of Ellensburg High School
  • Holly Terrill of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School
2016 Recipients: (left to right) Kimberly Lonowski and Travis Gylling; at right, Holly Terrill

2015 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present a total of $3,000 in scholarships to the following 3 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. All three are honors graduates, and exceeded the Grange’s scholarship requirements relating to participation in agricultural activities, community and school participation including leadership experience and strong academic performance.

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Julia Wickerath of Ellensburg High School
  • Marguerite Barker of Ellensburg High School (twins)
  • Rachele Barker of Ellensburg High School (twins)
2015 Recipients: (left to right) Marguerite Barker, Julia Wickerath and Rachele Barker

Where Are They Now? 

2015: Julia Wickerath, here’s a brief update from Julia who is in her freshman year at University of Wyoming.” This semester has been full of new adventures from meeting new friends, exploring Wyoming and Colorado to traveling with the University of Wyoming Horse Judging team in Ohio and Oklahoma. I was very fortunate to have excellent teachers in all of my subjects, one of which was an intro to engineering course in which I designed a snow shovel for one-armed use. I have participated as a member of the Ranch Horse team with my horse Prince who also starred in my honors class final for a video project! So far I have enjoyed my time in Laramie immensely and look forward to next semester. Thank you, Julia Wickerath”

2014 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present scholarships to the following 2 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Molly Slothower of Ellensburg High School – enrolled at Washington State University
  • Julie Bramstedt of Ellensburg High School – enrolled at Central Washington University
2014 Recipient Molly Slothower (with her parents Jeffrey and Susan)
Julie Bramstedt (with her parents Daniel and Lorraine)

2013 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present scholarships to the following 2 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Victoria Zencak a Home School Running Start Student – enrolled at Central Washington University
  • Nicholas Gylling of Ellensburg High School – enrolled at the University of Washington
2013 Recipient Victoria Zencak
Nicholas Gylling

2012 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present scholarships to the following 2 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Andrew Clarke of Ellensburg High School – enrolled at Yakima Valley Community College
  • Nathan Sorenson of Kittitas High School
2012 Recipient Andrew Clarke
Nathan Sorenson

2011 Recipient

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present scholarships to the following student as she sets out to continue her academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Amanda Anderson of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School – enrolled at Central Washington University
2011 Recipient Amanda Anderson

2010 Recipients

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present scholarships to the following 2 students as they set out to continue their academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Amber Strand of Ellensburg High School – enrolled at Yakima Valley Community College
  • Molly Jo Ballard of Kittitas High School
2012 Recipients Amber Strand and Molly Jo Ballard. Pictured, left to right: Jack and June Hendrickson, Molly Jo Ballard, Amber Strand and Scholarship Committee Chair, Sally Gililand

2009 Recipient

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange is pleased to present a $1,000 scholarship to the following student as he sets out to continue his academic excellence in college. 

Agricultural Scholarships Recipients:

  • Travis Matthews of Ellensburg High School – enrolled Walla Walla Community College
2009 Recipient Travis Matthews accepts award from Scholarship Chair Barb Sowers.

Where Are They Now? 

2009: Travis Matthews, the 2009 Ellensburg High School graduate was chosen to receive our $1,000 Scholarship Award, became a member of our Grange in July. Travis, whose family live in Thorp and who have a long history of Grange members, earned a John Deere Technology Degree at Walla Walla Community College and graduated from Washington State University in 2014. We are proud to count Travis as a member of our Grange and wish him well in his new job!

Apply for a Scholarship! (At least $1,000+)

Graduating Kittitas County Seniors are eligible to apply.

LEARN MORE

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