TACOMA PROPELLER CLUB
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
APRIL 22, 2026
The 2026 Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship competition was held on April 22 at The Fabulich Center. 14 Pierce County public high schools participated. The scholarship applicants were selected by their high school counselors and career guidance specialists. Local businesses sponsoring students included: U.S. Oil, Auto Warehousing, BNBuilders, ILWU Local 22, ILWU Local 23, Jen & Chris Brown, Karina Martija-Harris, Kitsap Bank, Medosweet Farms, Orion Marine Contractors, Resolve Marine, Tacoma Rail, TOTE Maritime Alaska, and Washington United Terminals. An additional contribution was made by Aequalis Photography, and our Event Sponsors were the Port of Tacoma and Heritage Bank.
The scholarship was awarded to the student with the highest score computed by five judges for financial need, grade point average, community and school involvement, letter of recommendation, and a verbal presentation. This year’s topic was, “For your career after graduation, if you could choose any job at or related to the Port of Tacoma, what would it be, why, and what kind of difference do you think you could make in that position?”.
The 2026 recipient of the $4,000.00 Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship award was Chloe Duskin of Sumner High School. A second-place award of $2,000.00 was presented to Selayna Rudolph of Silas High School, and third place, with an award of $1,500.00, went to Annika Howard of Eatonville High School. $200.00 cash was awarded to the following scholarship participants: Andromeda Pedro Trujillo of Curtis High School, Trevor Jellison of Emerald Ridge High School, Mulenga Makunga of Fife High School, Jack Learned of Gig Harbor, Owen Gillick of IDEA, Tiberius Thompson of Lincoln High School, Jason Thomas of Rogers High School, Audrey Preston of SAMI, Nathaniel Verow of Stadium High School, Jasper Pearce of TSOTA, and Charlee Sproed of White River High School.
The total scholarship award for 2026 was $9,700 with a 33-year total of over $250,000 in cash and merchandise.
Management of the Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship is overseen by the “Past Presidents’ Club” of the International Propeller Club – Port of Tacoma chapter. The Scholarship Committee consists of: Candy Nigretto, Scott Masenheimer, Terry Velasco, Karina Martija-Harris, and Mason Reed. Special thanks to Rod Koon for being our emcee for the day, and Olu Ikuesan for being our Guest Speaker.
The Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship Fund is supported by contributions from the Tacoma Propeller Club, its members, local businesses, labor, memorials, private donations, and local charities and foundations. Donations may be made to: Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 453, Tacoma, WA, 98401.