PORT ANGELES — Five Peninsula College students have been awarded the Longhouse Scholarship.
James Horejsi, Abraham Venske, Michael Trainor, Kriska Obermiller and Alisa Lawrence were recently honored in the House of Learning Longhouse at Peninsula College’s Port Angeles campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
The Peninsula College Longhouse Scholarship was established in 2012 to support the academic success of tribal students.
It is a one-year scholarship that provides tuition and fees for full-time students.
The annual scholarship is awarded to one member of each of the North Olympic Peninsula tribes.
Positive changes
Horejsi, a member of the Hoh tribe, sees education as a way to make positive changes in his life.
He has taken classes in Forks and Port Angeles and is working to complete an Associate of Arts with the intention of transferring to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“I never thought I would be in college,” Horejsi said. “I took the wrong path for too many years.
“I’m so thankful to be a part of the Longhouse Scholarship Program and Peninsula College. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to get back on the right path to success.”
Venske, a member of the Makah tribe, plays for the Peninsula College basketball team and has taken an active role in the college literary magazine Tidepools.
He is pursuing an associate degree with the goal of transferring for further study at the baccalaureate level.
Trainor, a member of the Quileute tribe, is studying multimedia graphics.
This is his first year in college, and he said he is inspired by the idea of gathering skills that will help him make short films.
Obermiller, a member of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, will complete her associate degree this spring.
Diversity Alliance Club
She was recently elected vice president of the student-run Diversity Alliance Club.
She also volunteers with The Buccaneer student newspaper, in the Longhouse and in other ways on campus.
“I am so thankful to [have been] selected,” Obermiller said. “This allows me to make school my top priority.”
Following graduation, she is considering entering Peninsula College’s bachelor of applied science in management program.
Dream Month
She also is working with faculty and others to plan a Dream Month focused on social justice-related events that will occur through the month of January.
Lawrence, a Lower Elwha Klallam tribe member, is also active in the Diversity Alliance.
She recently earned a quarterly grade-point average of 4.0 in the college’s bachelor of applied science in management program.
Lawrence is interested in a career in management.
“The House of Learning brings many opportunities to our campus,” Lawrence said.
“The Longhouse Scholarship helps native students’ aspirations.
“Personally, it’ll help me attain smaller goals against the bigger picture of my life, and I am truly grateful.”
To find out how to apply or contribute to the scholarship fund, see http://tinyurl.com/PDN-longhousescholarships or email Leora Gansworth at longhouse@pencol.edu.
