Dear friends,
As a lifelong resident of Grays Harbor County, I grew up as a “Spotted Owl Kid.” I witnessed the loss of jobs in the local timber industry when the Northern Spott ed Owl was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, and my own family was impacted by that loss. Over the years, as the mills closed and local properties were purchased by out-of-county investors, I watched generations of Harborites leave in search of opportunities elsewhere, believing they had no future here at home.
This is why it makes me so proud to do the work I do at the Grays Harbor College Foundation, connecting GHC students with opportunities and with the community of donors who believe in them. Each scholarship entrusted to the GHC Foundation is a testament to donors’ confidence in our students and in their journeys toward graduation, fueled by hard work, resilience, and hope for their futures. Scholarships like the Hughes Tools Program make a real difference for students like welding program alum Tara Clinton, whose work with Agrico Sales will bring new jobs to Grays Harbor.
I am inspired by the stories of students like Jessica Gonzalez, a first-generation student in GHC’s nursing program who recently received the Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital Foundation Medical Scholarship, stewarded by the GHC Foundation. The GHC Foundation is honored to steward scholarships like these, investments that have a direct and meaningful impact on our students’ educations and help pave the path toward their careers. On behalf of the Grays Harbor College Foundation and our Board of Directors, thank you for supporting GHC students like Tara, Jessica, and so many others on their educational journeys.
New Year’s Eve 2023, I was determined to pursue a meaningful change in my life. I enrolled at my local community college with the intention of providing a promising future for my daughters. I chose GHC because they genuinely care about students beyond their academic needs. I am thankful to be part of a supportive and caring community college. Upon obtaining my Associate of Science degree in Nursing, my future goal is to further my education by transferring and pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I aspire to work in the pediatrics department as a Registered Nurse, ensuring that all children are cared for beyond their expectations and reassuring the parents who will place their trust in me.
– JESSICA GONZALEZ, GHC NURSING STUDENT AND RECIPIENT OF THE HARBOR REGIONAL HEALTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP
With sincere gratitude,
Lisa J. Smith
Executive Director, GHC Foundation
