Student honors 6-12-24

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, June 12, 2024

HEPPNER — The Bank of Eastern Oregon announced the recipients of its 2024 high school senior scholarships.

According to a press release, the scholarship is awarded to students planning to enroll in agriculture or business. Applications are accepted from graduating seniors in the areas where the Bank of Eastern Oregon and Bank of Eastern Washington branches and loan offices are located. Selections are based on academic achievements, leadership and citizenship.

Students from the region, who each received a $500 scholarship, include Theresa Campbell, Condon High School; Cameron Proudfoot and Morgan Cutsforth, Heppner High School; Chloe Samms, Hermiston High School; Leah Mueller, Irrigon High School; Alison Spratling and Kelli Nelson, Pendleton High School; and Courtney Coelsch, Sherman County High School.

“We wish these seniors the best of luck as they move on to college and look forward to hearing of their continuing success in agriculture or business,” BEO President and CEO Jeff Bailey said.

Based in Heppner, BEO Bancorp’s operations include 21 branches and three loan production offices. For more information, visit www.beobank.com.

ECHO — The Echo Heritage Association presented three scholarships to graduating seniors during Echo High School’s awards event on May 29 at the school.

According to a press release, the association awarded a $3,000 scholarship to McKenzie Rose and a pair of $2,000 awards to Nevaeh Thew and Creed Russell. Each of the students maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Rose is heading to southern California to attend the University of Redlands this fall with a focus on environmental studies and journalism. Thew plans to continue her athletic endeavors in college while studying nursing. Russell hopes to attend Trinity Western University to study biology.

Mike Duffy, EHA scholarship committee chairman, said all of the applicants “showed exemplary skill and ethical capacity in their own way.” He said it made the selection process especially competitive.

The Echo Heritage Association was established in 2018. Funds for the scholarships were generated through the annual Echo Oktoberfest and a mailing campaign. For more information, email echo.heritage@gmail.com.

UMATILLA — In addition to graduating with the class of 2024, eight Umatilla High School seniors earned their Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degrees.

Alexis Armenta, Braelyn Cragun, Miles Franks, Diego Loera, Dayami Nava, Angel Quiroga-Vazquez, Maddisyn Rico and Jonathan Rome will receive their diplomas Wednesday, June 12, during the Blue Mountain Community College commencement ceremony in Pendleton.

According to a press release, the Umatilla School District since 2012 has offered students an opportunity to earn college credits. Superintendent Heidi Sipe said the board of education has provided support to fund the program.

“Without the dedication of the school board, this opportunity for students would not exist,” Sipe said. “They recognize the importance of access to college opportunities and have remained committed to supporting students as they pursue career certifications and transfer degrees.”

The district covers the full cost of tuition and books and works with several colleges/universities to provide numerous options for students. In addition, the school partners with Good Shepherd Health Care System, Amazon Web Services and the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District to help develop pipeline programs that assist in guiding students toward credit-earning opportunities and launching them into their future careers.

PENDLETON — A Heppner High School graduate was among the recipients of a $1,000 scholarship from the Umatilla-Morrow County Farm Bureau.

Cameron Proudfoot is the son of Jason and Tara Proudfoot, of Ione. He will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in agricultural business.

In addition, Julianne Jones, a Pendleton High School graduate, and Adelynn Stewart, a McLoughlin High School graduate, also received $100 scholarships.

Also, the Farm Bureau established an incentive program to encourage and promote the study of agriculture for students attending Blue Mountain Community College. The award honors the memory of Anne-Marie Moss, who served as the communications director of the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation for more than 18 years.

In its third year, those receiving the Anne-Marie Moss Excellence in Agriculture Award and their field of study are Haylie Peterson, agriculture business; Paul Reed, agriculture production/crops; Damon Maddox, agricultural machinery; Isabella Orr, agriculture production/livestock; and Samantha Davenport, precision agriculture.

For more information about the Umatilla-Morrow County Farm Bureau’s scholarship and award program, contact Julia Spratling, secretary/treasurer, at jj.spratling@gmail.com or 541-457-6045.

— Hermiston Herald