TACOMA PROPELLER CLUB
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
APRIL 19, 2023
The 2023 Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship competition was held on April 19 at The Fabulich Center. Thirteen 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: Auto Warehousing Company, Calbag Metals, Husky Terminal, ILWU Local 22, Jen & Chris Brown, Northern Environmental, Orion Marine Contractors, Tacoma Rail, TOTE Maritime Alaska, and Washington United Terminals. An additional contribution was made by Aequalis Photography, and our Event Sponsor was The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Special recognition goes to U.S. Oil for being our Premier Sponsor.
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 2023 recipient of the $4,000.00 Tacoma Propeller Club Memorial Scholarship award was Audrey Spencer of White River High School. A second-place award of $2,000.00 was presented to Olivia Duskin of Sumner High School, and third place, with an award of $1,500.00, went to Chiron Susee of Emerald Ridge High School. $200.00 cash was awarded to the following scholarship participants: Samuel Draeger of Fife High School, Sarah Holm of Stadium High School, Hannah Kralik of Eatonville High School, Jasmine Madora-Rivas of Orting High School, Kaleyna Mearns of Bethel High School, Paris Quinn of Mount Tahoma High School, Israel Smith of Spanaway High School, Nichole Tian of Gig Harbor High School, Anju Wagner of Puyallup High School, and Taveonte Webster of Silas High School.
The total scholarship award for 2023 was $9,500. We were excited to celebrate 30 YEARS of our “Dedication to Education” to Pierce County high school seniors this year, with an accumulated total of over $228,100 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: Ron Mason, Candy Nigretto, Terry Velasco, and Todd Vincent. Special thanks to Rod Koon for being our emcee for the day.
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.