Musicians set the tone during Echo Oktoberfest on Oct. 20, 2018. The annual event supports the Echo Heritage Association scholarship program. The association announced May 29, 2024, that it awarded a total of $7,000 to three Echo High School seniors.

Echo Heritage Association announces scholarship winners

ECHO — The Echo Heritage Association presented three scholarships to graduating seniors during Echo High School’s awards event on May 29 at the school.

According to a press release, the association awarded a $3,000 scholarship to McKenzie Rose and a pair of $2,000 awards to Nevaeh Thew and Creed Russell. Each of the students maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Rose is heading to southern California to attend the University of Redlands in the fall with a focus on environmental studies and journalism. Thew plans to continue her athletic endeavors in college while studying nursing. Russell hopes to attend Trinity Western University to study biology.

Mike Duffy, EHA scholarship committee chairman, said all of the applicants “showed exemplary skill and ethical capacity in their own way.” He said it made the selection process especially competitive.

The Echo Heritage Association was established in 2018. Funds for the scholarships were generated through the annual Echo OktoberFest and a mailing campaign. For more information, email echo.heritage@gmail.com.

Bank of Eastern Oregon announces 2024 scholarship recipients

HEPPNER — The Bank of Eastern Oregon announced the recipients of its 2024 high school senior scholarships.

According to a press release, the scholarship is awarded to students planning to enroll in agriculture or business. Applications are accepted from graduating seniors in the areas where the Bank of Eastern Oregon and Bank of Eastern Washington branches and loan offices are located. Selections are based on academic achievements, leadership and citizenship.

Students from the region, who each received a $500 scholarship, include Theresa Campbell, Condon High School; Cameron Proudfoot and Morgan Cutsforth, Heppner High School; Chloe Samms, Hermiston High School; Leah Mueller, Irrigon High School; Alison Spratling and Kelli Nelson, Pendleton High School; and Courtney Coelsch, Sherman County High School.

“We wish these seniors the best of luck as they move on to college and look forward to hearing of their continuing success in agriculture or business,” BEO President and CEO Jeff Bailey said.

Based in Heppner, BEO Bancorp’s operations include 21 branches and three loan production offices. For more information, visit www.beobank.com.

Local students benefit from Burger King scholarship program

UMATILLA COUNTY — The Burger King Foundation announced May 28 that it awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships to deserving high school students and Burger King employees, including eight local students.

According to a press release, the nonprofit foundation rewards exceptional students so they can explore their full potential by furthering their education. Recipients are selected based on their academic record, community service, financial need and leadership/work experience.

Among the scholarship recipients were five associated with the Pendleton Burger King franchise — Julianne Jones, Carson Oyama, Jack Bonzani, Addison Kennedy and Owen Golter — and three from Hermiston — Liana Jimenez, Andrea Sanchez-Garavito and John Mills.

“We see scholarships as our way of investing in the future of our employees, our community and helping students reach their full potential,” Gary Moore, a Burger King business owner, said.

The application period for 2024-25 opens Oct. 15 and closes on Dec. 15. For more information, search www.burgerkingfoundation.org.

Athena Civic Memorial Association awards scholarships, grants

ATHENA — The Athena Civic Memorial Association recognized 11 graduating seniors from Weston-McEwen High School during the commencement ceremony on June 1 in Athena.

Sabine Wong-Boulanger, Keira Denny, Mackenzie Aldrich, Emma Calvert, EvaLena Lieuallen, Helen Williams, Brooke Harley, Mazon Langford, Addison Perkins, Rosalynn White and Lillian Ainsworth each will receive $1,000 scholarships after completing their first term/semester and provide their transcripts. Also, Ainsworth received an additional $1,000 from the Dorothy Bjorklund Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In addition, the association granted requests for $300 from the Athena Caledonian Games, $875 to the Athena Mainstreet Association for Community Night Out/Ceilidh Project and $300 to the Athena Library Friends Association.

The association was established in 1957 to honor community charitable giving. Contributions to the Athena Civic Memorial Association are tax-deductible and can be mailed to PO Box 12, Athena OR 97813.

— East Oregonian