Learning didn’t come as easy to Cynthia Elder-Sandoval as it did for many of her peers. Although she struggled comparing herself to others, the turning point came after becoming a mother when she realized she wanted to set a new standard for her young son. She decided to start telling herself, “’I can’ instead of ‘I can’t’” and this is what led her to SVC. Another boost of confidence came after receiving the Ferguson Foundation Scholarship and realizing other people believe in her too. “I know it might just seem like money to some, however it means more than that to me. I value your support and believing in my ability to succeed in life.” The sky is the limit
for Cynthia and her son. After she graduates she plans to go to University of Colorado Boulder to pursue a bachelors and masters degree in Cognitive Psychology and work in the field of child development.

For 21 years, SVC has been committed to providing Champions of Diversity Scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are nominated by a teacher or advisor. A common thread for most of these students is that college was not even a consideration and the things holding them back was more than money alone. A vote of confidence can make all the difference. For Daisy Reyes, who graduated from Burlington-Edison High School last spring, this scholarship was just that. “This scholarship is a symbol for me. It means to me that I have people on my side that truly believe I am capable of doing good things and that want to help me reach my goals.” Daisy, a first-generation college student, hopes to become a teacher one day. She understands the importance of education, and scholarships like this make it all possible!

For Julie Onischchenko, a nursing student who was only 6 months from graduating, the Emergency Fund helped her through an uncertain financial situation. Julie’s husband, whose income they rely on to pay bills and make ends meet while she is in school, had to delay work on a project because his client contracted COVID. As an independent contractor and living paycheck to paycheck, Julie says, “we were really needing this job to be finished by the end of this month to pay our rent.” At the same time, Julie’s car was in need of significant repairs. Thankfully, Emergency Funding was there to help. “I know without this help, I would have had to step out of the program in order to meet financial needs. Your financial blessing to us students goes beyond any ‘thank you’.” Your support has brought Julie one step closer to graduation and a more secure financial future.

Opportunity for Excellence funds a wide variety of programs, equipment and student activities throughout the three counties we serve. Whether it’s new lab equipment, capital projects, degree completion programs, or investments in equity and cultural enrichment programs, philanthropy has many faces at SVC. Here are two examples:

In 2020, SVC faculty Chuck Luckmann embarked on a project that would install contemporary Coast Salish Art on the college’s three campuses which speak to the long indigenous history in our college district. Fast forward to today, Chuck and the Foundation have raised over $25,000 and the artwork is now being installed. Photographed below is a mural at Sprague Hall on the Whidbey Island Campus by Ty Juvinel, entitled Sqaǰǝt Ɂuládxw pígwǝd (Skagit Salmon Ceremony). The Sqaǰǝt (Skagit) were the most populous indigenous group in the Oak Harbor area.

The Cardinal Complete Program is intended to help students complete their education who are within 15 credits of graduating. Last year alone, the program supported 52 students with an 88% success rate. Students like Emily Braunz who stepped away from college to earn money as a delivery driver for FedEx when the pandemic hit. She couldn’t be more grateful: “I am so thankful for this opportunity; it gave me a chance to finish what I had started 6 years ago and gave me momentum to move forward!”