Scholarships Change What's Possible
Every Scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents a student with a goal, a family celebrating a milestone, and a community investing in what comes next.
Hear directly from Kent students whose futures are moving forward with support from Kent Community Foundation scholarships.
Every Scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents a student with a goal, a family celebrating a milestone, and a community investing in what comes next.
Hear directly from Kent students whose futures are moving forward with support from Kent Community Foundation scholarships.
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"Without these scholarships, I wouldn't be able to pursue a higher education. Without them, it wouldn't be possible at all due to financial reasons." |
Mike Simmons, Audrey Rose Sells, Jim McGinnis and Kent Area Council PTA Scholarship Recipient 2026
As the youngest of four siblings, Jiselle is the first in her family to attend college. She plans to pursue a career in accounting, earn her CPA license, and one day give back to the Kent schools and community that helped shape her journey.
For Jiselle the impact extends beyond college. It represents a new opportunity for her family and a future where she hopes to create opportunities for others.
"It really raises the bar for me and my future, as well as my family."
And to donors who helped make her next chapter possible: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. this really wouldn't be a possibility without you guys."
"This is my dream. I want to make a change in education. and I want to be a resource to my students."
Linda Ruby Scholarship Recipient 2026
As a first-generation college student this future educator is pursuing a degree at Seattle Pacific University with plans to teach in the Kent or Auburn community. The Linda Ruby Scholarship helps cover housing expenses, providing greater freedom to focus on academics, professional development, and working directly with children.
“It means being able to focus properly on my major, my education and overall my well-being as a student in college.”
The goal reaches far beyond earning a degree. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of navigating higher education as a first-generation student, this recipient wants to become the teacher and resource future students see themselves in.
Today, that work has already begun through early childhood education, mentoring and volunteering. In the future, the goal is to teach locally, pursue a master’s degree in curriculum and policy, and help expand educational opportunities for multilingual and low-income students.
“There were students that looked like me. They spoke like me, and they acted like me, and they were able to resonate with me.”
And to the donors who helped make his next chapter possible:
“Thank you so much for investing in students like me... You’re not only investing in Kent. You’re investing in the future of Washington state.”
As a first-generation college student this future educator is pursuing a degree at Seattle Pacific University with plans to teach in the Kent or Auburn community. The Linda Ruby Scholarship helps cover housing expenses, providing greater freedom to focus on academics, professional development, and working directly with children.
“It means being able to focus properly on my major, my education and overall my well-being as a student in college.”
The goal reaches far beyond earning a degree. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of navigating higher education as a first-generation student, this recipient wants to become the teacher and resource future students see themselves in.
Today, that work has already begun through early childhood education, mentoring and volunteering. In the future, the goal is to teach locally, pursue a master’s degree in curriculum and policy, and help expand educational opportunities for multilingual and low-income students.
“There were students that looked like me. They spoke like me, and they acted like me, and they were able to resonate with me.”
And to the donors who helped make his next chapter possible:
“Thank you so much for investing in students like me... You’re not only investing in Kent. You’re investing in the future of Washington state.”
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" At the root of it, I really just want to help people" |
Rotary Club & Pat Butler Scholarship Recipient 2026
Brianna is studying Law, Societies & Justice at the University of Washington, with plans to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration law. She is also minoring in Spanish, an interest that has taken her to Spain to study the language and culture firsthand.
For Brianna, scholarship support provides something especially valuable: the freedom to focus on her education and pursue experiences that prepare her for the future.
“This scholarship honestly just gives me a lot more freedom to be able to choose what I truly want to study and what I want to do.”
Her goal is rooted in service. Brianna hopes to use a career in law to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“At the root of it, I really just want to help people, and that’s my main passion for going into law.”
Giving back is already part of Brianna’s plans. Inspired by the support she has received and by the memory of her father, she hopes to someday create a scholarship of her own.
“I do hope to build my own kind of foundation for scholarships in honor of my dad... knowing that so many people have supported me to be able to have my education and go to college.”
And to the donors helping make these opportunities possible:
“It really does more than I can say in words. Part of me being in Spain and being able to study abroad has been through scholarships.”
Brianna is studying Law, Societies & Justice at the University of Washington, with plans to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration law. She is also minoring in Spanish, an interest that has taken her to Spain to study the language and culture firsthand.
For Brianna, scholarship support provides something especially valuable: the freedom to focus on her education and pursue experiences that prepare her for the future.
“This scholarship honestly just gives me a lot more freedom to be able to choose what I truly want to study and what I want to do.”
Her goal is rooted in service. Brianna hopes to use a career in law to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“At the root of it, I really just want to help people, and that’s my main passion for going into law.”
Giving back is already part of Brianna’s plans. Inspired by the support she has received and by the memory of her father, she hopes to someday create a scholarship of her own.
“I do hope to build my own kind of foundation for scholarships in honor of my dad... knowing that so many people have supported me to be able to have my education and go to college.”
And to the donors helping make these opportunities possible:
“It really does more than I can say in words. Part of me being in Spain and being able to study abroad has been through scholarships.”
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Mailing Address: Kent Community Foundation P.O. Box 5493 Kent, WA 98064-5493 |
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our Tax ID # is 91-1349506.
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