Dollars for Scholars recipients thank their community

Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars received the following thank you notes from 11 scholarship recipients ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. The letters address both PRDFS and the Point Roberts community.

I have been so blessed to be a receiver of your care and support — not just through academic blessings like this scholarship — but throughout the years as I’ve grown up and gotten to know so many of you within this special place.

During the two summers I spent working at Nielson’s, I got to witness and be a part of a town that has been through so much, but that has been so resilient and committed to taking care of one another. 

However, even before those two summers, I benefited greatly from the remarkable beauty of Point Roberts, and now as I move across the line, I will continue to grieve not just the natural beauty, but the charm, humor and care that runs through this town’s veins.

I want to thank this community, and Dollars for Scholars, for supporting the young people in this town — like myself — as we pursue our futures and explore the opportunities before us. I’m going into my fourth and final year of my Business Administration degree, and I am a better person because of your support throughout my journey. Thank you for looking out for me and the other scholarship recipients this year and of years past, and for contributing to our success. I’m so grateful for this wonderful town. You’ve all given me so much, and I will miss you deeply.

Lydia Joy Quezada

I am beyond thankful to be offered this generous scholarship that will help me pursue my academic goals at a post-secondary school. I have lived in Point Roberts my whole life so I am excited to give back to the community some day!

Jenna Tuazon

I would like to thank all of the Dollars For Scholars donors, contributors and the Point Roberts community for this academic award. I am so incredibly grateful and appreciative to receive this scholarship. It will be utilized to the fullest extent, with all of the funds going to my tuition at the

University of British Columbia. This scholarship allows me to continue going to UBC as a full-time student with less financial pressure for fees outside of tuition.

I will be continuing my studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies, with a theme of various social sciences, community outreach and media forms. After UBC I hope to attend graduate school, furthering my education in this focus area.

Thank you again for this tremendous award.

Mia McSkimmings

I want to take this opportunity to personally share my gratitude to all of the private donors as well as the foundation itself for making this scholarship possible to students like myself. I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of this scholarship which allows me to continue my passionate work

as a proud student at the University of British Columbia

Returning to university as a mature student has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made, and it's scholarships like this that make it all possible. Currently I am pursuing a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Spanish. I plan on continuing my education to pursue a master’s degree in Archaeology after completing my undergraduate program with the ultimate goal to one day conduct

archaeological research in the Pacific Northwest.

This scholarship has greatly reduced the financial burden of pursuing my education and as a result will allow me to focus more intentfully on my studies and future goals. Thank you again for your generosity and for supporting students in our local communities. I truly appreciate your investment in my education!

Spencer Miller

Thank you to all of the donors who have generously given to this scholarship. I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. I will be attending Big Bend Community College starting this fall, and going through its Professional Pilot Program. This scholarship will support me and help further my education as I work toward my future as a commercial pilot. Thank you again for all of your support.

Nikki Loop

Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of this scholarship. I am truly grateful for your generosity and support of my education. This scholarship will help me continue pursuing my academic goals, and I appreciate the confidence you have placed in me. Thank you again for your kindness and investment in my future.

Carolyn Palotas

I am extremely grateful for being chosen again this year to receive a Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars scholarship. I recently finished my junior year of the dental hygiene program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and will be beginning my senior year shortly in July.

I have learned a lot about community health throughout my program so far, and it has made me think of how I can contribute to the Point Roberts community after I graduate. I would love to give back to the town that raised me by providing oral prevention services.

This upcoming year, I plan to use this scholarship to pay for my board exams, which will significantly relieve the financial strain of becoming a licensed dental hygienist at the end of my program. During my summer break, I hope to return to Point Roberts to spend some time with my family and community. 

Thank you again for your generosity.

Katherine Scott

Thank you for awarding me this scholarship. I am truly grateful for your support and investment in my 

education. Growing up in Point Roberts, I have always appreciated the encouragement of my community.

As a student-athlete at Washington State University, I recently graduated with a 4.0 GPA, received the Blankenship Award as the Outstanding Male Student-Athlete of the Year, and am now completing my second degree. I also have one more season of football ahead of me before pursuing my Ph.D.

Thank you for helping make these opportunities possible. Your generosity means a great deal to me.

Jack Procter

Thank you for supporting me and my education. I recently graduated with my degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, and I am currently continuing my education by pursuing my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Through this program, I will strengthen my understanding of curriculum, instruction, and student learning so I can better support students in the classroom.

I greatly appreciate your support in helping me continue my education and professional growth. Your generosity allows me to continue learning so I can make a positive impact on students and their education.

Grace Hettinga

Thank you to Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars for this opportunity. You have helped me by giving me more opportunities to continue my education and support my future goals. I am currently attending BTC, where I am working toward my AA in business management. I will then continue my education to earn my bachelor's degree in business management. Thank you again for your generous support and for investing in my future.

Noah Hettinga

Julia Farkasch

Thank you so much for supporting my goals in higher education. It has been great to have your support throughout my undergraduate degree and now my past two years of law school. I have one year of law school left and I am excited to pursue law. I have learned so much and am very grateful for the support. I would be so grateful to receive the Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars Scholarship again.  

Julia Farkasch