Dear Editor: The Tulong Aral Scholarship Committee would like to thank the community for their support of students seeking post-secondary learning. We recently awarded scholarships to six seniors: Jaira Costelo, Julia Nabua, Zachary Janssen, Den Jomar Molina, Fiona Caalim and Rex Adres. We wish these students the best as they take their next steps.
The Tulong Aral Committee is working to create a sustainable scholarship encouraging Filipino and Filipino-American students to pursue further education. We held recent fundraisers for future graduates pursuing their career and life dreams. We are so appreciative of those who supported these fundraisers.
We would like to thank Tamy and Greg Stevenson and Sitka Swirls for their unwavering support of the children and youths of Sitka. A portion of recent sales was donated to the scholarship fund. The committee worried a bit when they saw the wet and windy weather but the community of Sitka showed up for their Swirls! Thank you, again, Tamy and Greg.
Committee member Jarred Rivera organized a pop-up pancit sale earning $500 for the scholarship. Many thanks to Lorna Deguzmanetrata Elefante for making pancit for this event and to Rita Christianson, Jojo Nabua, Betty Richter, Desirae Hutton and Jaiger Abellera for their contributions. We would also like to thank Sitka High’s Barkada Club for their support of student life and the Tulong Aral Scholarship. Their Salo-Salo event in October raised money for the scholarship. Many thanks to Graduate President Julia Nabua for her leadership with the Barkada Club.
Community organizations and citizens who are interested in supporting the Tulong Aral scholarship can call Kari Sagel at 907 752-7323. We are actively seeking sponsors and fundraising opportunities.
Kari Sagel, Sitka
