Scholarship Program

In 2010, the Copper River Watershed Project released a new scholarship program for seniors from the Copper River watershed who are graduating and pursuing continued education that will benefit the culture, environment or economy of the region. 

Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded in 2012 to one graduating student from an upriver school (Glennallen, Kenny Lake, Slana, or Chistochina High Schools) and one graduating student from the downriver school (Cordova High School).  Homeschool students in the region are also eligible to apply. 

The 2012 application can be downloaded here or picked up at a local high school, or at the CRWP office in Cordova.  Applications must be postmarked, submitted directly, or emailed to the Copper River Watershed Project office no later than April 2, 2012.  Contact Jessyka Dart-McLean with any questions or for assistance in getting an application packet (424-3334, jessyka@copperriver.org). 

2011 Scholarship Winners

Shannon Lindow

Cordova High School

University of Colorado, Boulder

"My hopes for college are to find a way to prevent further disasters, such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill and to keep fisheries such as the one in Prince William Sounds sustainable and thriving.  By studying either fisheries management or marine biology, I will be able to give something back to the community that has given so much to me and to protect the fishery that means everything to our town."

Jessica Smyke

Cordova High School

Fort Lewis College

"As I have learned numerous time in science camp: it's all connected, from forest to the sea, so I hope that my career as a marine biologist will benefit the watershed in some way. I am also an environmental advocate, and wherever I end up living, I will always promote what is best for my hometown and the watershed that it lies in."

Ellie Bowman

Kenny Lake School

University of Alaska Fairbanks

"My objective is to be an active member of society in the Copper Basin and other rural settings by educating and assisting women and families with the delivery of children and promoting a philosophy of a healthy life."

2010 Scholarship Winners

Dani Hess

Cordova High School

Western Washington University

"The unimaginable diversity and universal connectedness of every aspect of the environment is fascinating.  The immensity of nature however is morphed into something far more fragile when one considers the impacts that human development and use has on it.  With a degree in Environmental Science, I hope to learn more about this connectedness, and how to satisfy and adjust the demands of human society to make less of a negative impact on the environment."

Hannah Rosenkrans

Kenny Lake School

Western Washington University

"When you grow up in a place like the Copper Basin, one learns many valuable life skills and begins to wonder what more to the world there may be.  I realize that although I am from Kenny Lake, I am also a member of the world community."