Two of our four trade scholarship winners will pursue a degree in diesel mechanics while the other two will follow their interests in welding and fabrication. Our agricultural scholarship recipient received college credits from running start all while participating in numerous activities such as FFA, high school rodeo, and barrel racing. Our Agricultural and Trades scholarships are offered every year to all graduating seniors in Kittitas County.

 

Travis Norrbom 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.

 

Travis Norrbom of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and son of Leah Norrbom plans to attend WyoTech in Laramie, WY while planning to get all the industry certifications in heavy duty diesel to become a diesel mechanic.
Travis was a member of FFA and the Manastash Grange for the past four years and learned how to mend fences, firewise property, move irrigation and fix machinery. Travis has had prize-winning animals at the local fair and states he has learned what it takes to raise an animal and have pride in his hard work. Having spent the last four summers in Alaska commercial fishing, Travis has realized that there is always work to be done in the diesel industry and that mechanical skills are constantly in high demand.

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Montana Moore of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and daughter of Stephanie Zipperer was awarded a $1500 Agriculture Scholarship. Montana plans to attend Tarleton State University in Texas and study Agribusiness and eventually Agricultural Law.

 

While maintaining a GPA of 3.87 Montana has held several jobs while still participating in High School Rodeo, Kittitas County Barrel Racers, Cle Elum Roundup, and numerous other activities. While in FFA, Montana was Vice-President of her local chapter her freshman year and the following year became President. Through FFA Montana has competed in the Leadership Development Events of Extemporaneous Speaking and Employment Skills for FFA members in grades 7 to 12 to challenge students to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.

 

Horsemanship has had the biggest impact on Montana’s life. Beginning with riding lessons at the age of 6 at Dragonwood Equine and eventually working her way up in 2020 to Barn Manager and Assistant Trainer after school at Dragonwood. Montana has participated in barrel racing, pole bending, and breakaway roping for the High School Rodeo Association. She has also competed in the Kittitas County Barrel Racers Association, Pattern Speed Horse Association, and the Ellensburg Posse Rodeos.

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Johnny Graham of Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and son of Richard and Terry Graham was awarded a $1500 Trades Scholarship. Johnny plans to attend WyoTech in Laramie, WY. During his high school years Johnny began working on small motors and eventually began doing big projects on his truck. While working on his truck he realized that he had a passion for anything with a motor. Johnny learned how to weld and fabricate metal in his woodshop class and decided that being a diesel mechanic would be his goal.
Having never worked for a mechanic, that didn’t stop Johnny as he proceeded to do oil changes, brake jobs, and engine diagnosis for his friends and co-workers.
Johnny’s grandfather, who passed away last year, was a car shop owner and also an Air Force mechanic who fixed and maintained planes. Johnny states that his grandfather has been an inspiration in all things mechanical.

Gabe Carlson of Kittitas Secondary School and son of Julie and Jasen Carlson was awarded a Trade Scholarship of $1500 to Peninsula College in Port Angeles WA. Growing up Gabe always dreamed of being a professional baseball player and making a living at playing a sport he was passionate about. Reality set in and an interest in welding began. After attending an open house at Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, Gabe realized that a career in welding was in his future. Gabe opted to attend Peninsula College primarily to pursue a certificate program that aligns with his career goals while also keeping the option open to earn a two-year degree, which emphasizes workplace safety, welding terminology, welding, cutting techniques, basic blueprint reading, metallurgical properties, and joint design. By enrolling in courses that count towards an associate degree, Gabe ensures flexibility in his educational pathway, potentially advancing his career further or transferring credits to pursue higher studies later. Upon graduation Gabe would like to begin an apprenticeship with United Association 598 Local for Steamfitters and Pipefitters.
Gabe has taken his interest in welding and turned it into a hobby/ business creating projects that he has sold to friends. He has worked with Fabulous Finds and Designs that sell homemade products at vending shows across the state. Gabe has made and sold a boot rack, tack holders, boot jack, fire grill, and a self-feeding fire pit.

Reid Bala of Ellensburg High School and son of Stephanie and Chad Bala was awarded a $1500 Trade Scholarship and plans to attend Wenatchee Valley College to earn a degree in welding and fabrication. Reid has had a dream of being able to weld on a pipeline and also to eventually become a welding teacher. Teaching welding is something Reid has found to be both satisfying and enjoyable by showing his fellow classmates tricks and techniques he has learned.
Reid has taken many welding and woodworking classes throughout his high school years and became a teacher’s assistant to Mrs. Samantha Simms in her welding class. Mrs. Simms encouraged Reid to join the agricultural mechanics group of FFA and 4-H. While finding 4H challenging at first, it helped Reid to create and deliver presentations every year that taught him how to be strong and confident when speaking in front of people.

 

Since 2008, the Swauk-Teanaway Grange has awarded $73,600 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.