A Journey of Growth and Impact

When I first joined the board, our scholarship program served students exclusively at Mercer Island High School. Today, I’m proud to say we’ve expanded our reach to include two additional schools: Rainier Beach High School and Chief Sealth High School. This growth represents more than just numbers—it reflects our deepening commitment to supporting diverse, deserving students across our community.

Over these six years, I’ve had the profound pleasure of meeting and supporting dozens of remarkable scholars. Each one has brought their own unique story, dreams, and determination to their educational journey. Watching them grow, graduate, and go on to make meaningful impacts in the world has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my service. Every single one of these young people embodies the life and legacy of Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham—her intellectual curiosity, her commitment to service, and her belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Looking Forward with Optimism

As I transition from my board role, I’m filled with excitement about the Fund’s future. The organization has never been stronger. We’ve grown our board to include more dedicated members than ever before, bringing fresh perspectives, diverse expertise, and renewed energy to our mission. There’s a palpable sense of passion and excitement surrounding the Fund’s work that promises to expand our impact significantly in 2025-26 and beyond under the leadership of our new Co-chairs, who together I feel will take SADSF up to the next level. Tammy Perkins is a Global Chief Human Resources Officer with a distinguished career spanning Fortune 100 companies, private equity-backed firms, and high-growth tech startups. She brings a wealth of experience regarding leading people and teams–she’s also a very warm and thoughtful person. And, as a career military leader focusing on leadership development and talent management and over 25 years of experience shaping equitable workplaces and cultivating high-performing, diverse teams across international and domestic organizations, Ron Cheatham, brings a lot of strategic leadership and attention to detail to SADSF.

The strategic vision and enthusiasm of our current board members give me tremendous confidence that the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund will continue to flourish and reach even more deserving students in the years to come.

Continuing the Connection

While I’m stepping back from active board service, my connection to this organization runs too deep to sever completely. I’m honored to remain involved as a member of the advisory board, where I can continue to contribute to an organization that will always be near and dear to my heart.

The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund represents something truly special—the belief that education can unlock potential, that investing in young people creates ripple effects that extend far beyond any single scholarship, and that Dr. Dunham’s legacy of intellectual courage and global perspective continues to inspire new generations.

Gratitude and Best Wishes

To my fellow board members, past and present, thank you for your dedication, wisdom, and friendship. To the staff and volunteers who make our work possible, your commitment is invaluable. And to the scholars—past, present, and future—you are the reason we do this work, and you continue to inspire us every day.

As I look back on these six years, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have played a small part in continuing Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham’s remarkable legacy. The future is bright for this Fund and for all the young scholars whose dreams it will help make reality.

Each scholar has a unique story, marked by resilience, advocacy, and a drive to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond. We are honored to support their academic journeys and can’t wait to see the impact they will make in their respective fields.

Meet the 2025 Scholars:

Charlotte Lindow

Chief Sealth High School | Biology
Charlotte has been accepted to multiple universities, including the University of Washington. Her passion for biology and medicine was shaped by her research into historical medical advancements and her experience shadowing a dentist. She aspires to contribute to the medical field, combining scientific inquiry with compassionate care.

Katrina Mehal

Mercer Island High School | Pre-Humanities (Societal Structures, Women’s History, & Gender Studies)
Katrina will attend the University of Washington, where she plans to explore feminism, advocacy, and the intersections of gender and society. Her academic pursuits align with her dedication to uplifting marginalized voices and challenging systemic inequities.

Regina Lee

Mercer Island High School | Public Policy, Business, or Economics (Pre-Law)
Regina is headed to the University of Washington with plans to later attend law school. Driven by her family’s immigrant experiences, she is committed to advocating for underrepresented communities, equitable education, and legal reforms that center marginalized groups.

Sophia Maligaya

Mercer Island High School | Business Administration
Sophia will study at San Diego State University’s Fowler School of Business, with the goal of founding or managing a nonprofit to support underserved communities. A dedicated volunteer, she co-founded the Education Coalition for Asian American Representation (ECAAR) and champions inclusivity for students with disabilities.

Carmela Candelario

Rainier Beach High School | Neuroscience & Psychology
Carmela has been accepted to multiple universities, including the University of Washington. Her interest in neuroscience and psychology stems from navigating mental health stigma in Filipino American communities and witnessing educational inequities in her underfunded high school. She aims to bridge gaps in mental health care and advocacy.

Melissa Lee

Rainier Beach High School | Sociology & Political Science
Melissa, co-president of AGE UP—a Seattle nonprofit using ultimate frisbee to empower BIPOC youth—will attend either Colorado College or New York University. She plans to dissect systemic inequities, particularly how policies like redlining perpetuate displacement, and advocate for structural change.

Mia Cortes Basurto

Rainier Beach High School | Nursing
Mia will attend the University of Washington, pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. Her calling was shaped by her role as the eldest daughter in a Mexican immigrant family and her experiences advocating for loved ones in medical settings. She founded her high school’s Latinx Student Union to foster cultural pride and community.

A Special Thank You to Amanda Knox

Before the award ceremony and a celebratory lunch with the scholars and board members, we were honored to host Amanda Knox as our keynote speaker. Amanda delivered an inspiring workshop on resilience, sharing her own journey of overcoming adversity and reclaiming her narrative. Her powerful message set a meaningful tone for the day, reminding our scholars that perseverance and self-belief can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Congratulations to the 2025 Scholars!

We are immensely proud of these young leaders and look forward to witnessing their continued growth and impact. Their dedication to education, equity, and community embodies the spirit of the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund, and we are confident they will carry her legacy forward.

To learn more about the scholarship and how to support future scholars, visit https://stanleyanndunhamfund.org.

#SADScholars #StanleyAnnDunhamLegacy #FutureLeaders

This overwhelming response is more than just a pleasant surprise—it’s a powerful sign of the times. Despite the challenges many of us face, people are clearly seeking deeper connections, meaningful engagement, and ways to lift up their communities. The sheer number of qualified, passionate individuals eager to serve speaks volumes about the enduring human drive to support those more vulnerable than ourselves.

To everyone who applied—thank you. Your enthusiasm and commitment inspire us. We’re reviewing applications carefully and look forward to bringing new voices and perspectives to our board.

For those still interested in getting involved, there are always opportunities to contribute. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for being part of a community that cares.

#CommunityLeadership #Service #Nonprofit #MakingADifference

Our goal is to ensure strong representation from all three high schools we serve, giving every eligible student the opportunity to apply. If you or someone you know is planning to submit an application, now’s the time!

Key Details:

• New Deadline: April 13
• Award Ceremony: May 13 (more details coming soon!)

We can’t wait to celebrate the hard work and achievements of this year’s scholars. Stay tuned for further updates, and don’t forget to spread the word!

For questions or additional information, feel free to reach out to us.

Apply today—your future awaits!

#StanleyAnnDunhamScholarship #EducationMatters #CommunitySupport

Dear Community,

We are excited to announce that the application deadline for the 2025 Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship is fast approaching! Students wishing to apply have until April 6, 2025, to submit their applications. This scholarship is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Stanley Ann Dunham, who exemplified the values of education and social justice throughout her life.

As we embark on this journey to uplift and empower the next generation of leaders, we are reminded of the importance of our mission. The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund plays a vital role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds who are pursuing higher education. By providing financial assistance, we can help alleviate the burdens of tuition and encourage students to follow their dreams without the heavy weight of financial stress.

However, we cannot do this alone. The success of our scholarship program hinges on the generosity of our community. There are many ways you can contribute to this important cause. Whether it’s a one-time donation or a recurring gift, every dollar helps us create opportunities for deserving students. With your support, we can ensure that the legacy of Stanley Ann Dunham continues to thrive and inspire future generations.

We invite you to join us in this meaningful cause. Your donation not only helps students achieve their educational goals but also honors the vision that Stanley Ann Dunham had for a more equitable and just world. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of many.

Please visit our website to learn more about the scholarship application process, as well as ways to donate to the scholarship fund. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to fostering education and opportunity for all.

Sincerely,
Michelle Flowers-Taylor
Board Chair, Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund

Let’s work together to keep the spirit of Stanley Ann Dunham alive and make a profound impact on the lives of our future leaders!

Rachel Gallagher just received her bachelor’s degree in sociology/ anthropology from Carleton College and graduated magna cum laude.

Scholars Ellena Jones and Rachel Gallagher at our 2014 Award Ceremony

We recognized our 2018 scholars at Mercer Island High’s senior breakfast, Arwa Mokdad and Sophie Poole, and are about to recognize those from Rainier Beach High School at their senior breakfast, Michelle King and Gabriela Lopez. We don’t have to tell you how inspiring they are–see the videos below of the short speeches that several of our scholars gave at our Award Ceremony last April, and you too will be inspired too!

From Mercer Island High School: 

Arwa Mokdad

Sophie Poole

From Rainier Beach High School:

Gabriela Lopez

For some, this is all part of the fun—grappling with ideas, reorganizing their thoughts in different ways to capture the best snapshot of their connection and qualification to the scholarship vision. However, for others this part is the most paralyzing. You may feel like you’re writing aimlessly, or maybe you haven’t been able to write anything at all. Writing about oneself in scholarship essays can be tough, but hopefully we can explore some thoughts and considerations to support you in your writing process.

1. How do you connect to the scholarship? Read over the Scholarship Fund’s mission. What are we working to do? Do you support our mission, and if yes, why? Has anything in your past work in your community reflected the values? Start by clarifying your understanding of what the scholarship is looking for, and why this is something that draws you in.
2. What work has been done by past scholarship recipients? It can be easy to overlook the true breadth of our work when we don’t have a reference point. To get an idea of what you might look for in your own experience, check out what our past scholars have done. Academic pursuits, volunteering, sports, personal development, community work, family engagement—all these can me excellent sources for material on what highlights your values, service, and strengths.
3. What do you want to highlight about yourself? I know, not necessarily an easy question. Like I said, writing about ourselves can be a real challenge! We aren’t always used to emphasizing our strengths and what makes us unique. However, what is amazing about writing for a scholarship is that it finally gives you the space to do so. You get to decide what you want to be said, and heard, about YOU. You are the maker of your own image, so to speak. What drives you to do the community work you do? What pulls you toward your academic passion? What have you learned from your growth throughout your life? The trials and triumphs we experience make us each unique and exciting in our own ways—do not be shy to express your faith in your own potential.

Hopefully these guiding questions offer some inspiration! If you’re able to sit down with them and begin writing, you might find a bit more ease in getting your essay off the ground and headed in a direction you can be proud of. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your essay likely won’t be either. Take your time to start, stop, write, and rewrite, and get some outside feedback. Patience and diligence go a long way!

Some final thoughts…

Keep in mind that your essay will require a connection between your experiences and the beliefs and values of Stanley Ann Dunham. Make sure to take time to read through the provided articles to find quality inspiration.

The links are provided again below for your convenience!

• A Free-Spirited Wanderer who shaped President Obama’s Path: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/us/politics/14obama.html
• Dreams from His Mother:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/opinion/11dove.html
• A Woman of the People:  http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/09/13/news/story09.html

Check out our FAQ page for quick help.

Happy writing!