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By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news
Ashland High School is one of the top high schools in Oregon for completing the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA), according to a report issued by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and a group of Ashland rotarians wanted to make much of the news, creating a scholarship in honor a school official they believe has helped students achieve scholarship success.
The state’s average completion rate for Oregon is 48%. Ashland High School’s, by comparison, was 79.8% in April. Jennifer Marsden, the high school’s College and Career Specialist, was honored at an annual scholarship awards night on May 31 for helping Ashland reach that distinction.
Nearly 90 students tallied awards ranging from $250 to $20,000, many with renewable scholarships. Seniors were celebrated for more than $273,000 in scholarship awards, including a coveted Ford Scholarship.
Marsden’s effectiveness in helping students apply for scholarships and navigate potential career paths post-high school is not just anecdotal, according to presenters at the awards night.
During the ceremony, when students and parents were asked whether Marsden had helped them in any way with educational plans after high school or helped them better understand financial aid and the process of applying for the awards, students and those in the crowd overwhelmingly responded with hands in the air.
“It’s a lot of hands for those who can’t see,” a Lithia Springs of Ashland Rotary Club presenter said. “That’s what we call impact.”
Ashland High School Principal Benjamin Bell said Marsden is a “tremendous help” to Ashland High students by helping them pursue their dreams through planning and encouraging them to apply for awards and scholarships.
Marsden is in her 15th year in the multifaceted role, which includes hosting information nights to get families up to speed, and helping students apply for colleges, jobs, and other career pathways, all in addition to her role as an ASPIRE coordinator. She also works with students and their families to fill out the FAFSA.
Many Ashland families qualify for significant amounts of federal and state aid, according to Marsden, which helps many students who want to continue their higher education take the leap and apply.
“There’s not one college that’s best for everyone,” Marsden told Ashland.news in a phone interview. “Everyone’s looking for something different.
“It’s really exciting seeing all the kids up there and all their hard work paying off,” she added.
Scholarship Awards 2025
Ayla Allen
– OSAC Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Sophia Anderson
– OSAC Lynette Kelly Scholarship: $1,000
Nikaela Apilada
– AAUW of Ashland Scholarship: $3,000
– Ashland Lions Club – Southern Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Scholarship: $2,000
– David Steele Memorial Scholarship: $2,500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,000
Gwenna Applegate
– FORD Scholarship: $20,000
Maddy Barber
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
Elyn Barker OSAC
– Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Quinn Bowers
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
Sam Brabec
– OSEA – Chapter 42 Scholarship: $500
Navaeh Brown:
– Renewal/ OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,000
– Renewal/ OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,000
London Brunot
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,350
Serenity Callahan
– Mimi Scholarship: $1,000
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,000
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Gaten Campbell
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $2,500
Bodhi Carez
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Ella Chaddock
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $500
Ivy Clason
– Kiwanis Athletic Club Scholarship: $500
– Pear Blossom Festival Scholarship/Presenter: $1,000
Zaire Coltier
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
– John Tredway Scholarship: $2,000
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Azaleah Davis-Powell
– AHS Alumni Association Scholarship: $2,000
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
– Fairy Godmother Scholarship: $5,000
– Leah Castillo Memorial Scholarship: $500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $2,000
– OSAC – Edd E. Rountree Memorial Scholarship: $1,000
– OSEA – Chapter 42 Scholarship: $500
– Soroptimist Wendy Ray Memorial Scholarship: $5,000
Ben Davis-Powell
– OSAC – Lynette Kelly Scholarship: $1,000
Omar Del Aguila
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Abby DeSalvo
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Sophia Donovan
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $500
Tucker Drew
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
Tadhg Dunphy
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
Liam Durand
– OSAC – Russ and Rose Otte Scholarship: $1,200
Jacob Edwards
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $4,000
Olive English
– Kiwanis Key Clubber of the Year Scholarship: $500
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Fynn Erskin
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
– Mimi Scholarship: $1,000
Holden Farris
– David Steele Memorial Scholarship: $2,500
– Kiwanis Youth Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
Kiera Federline
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,000
Sophie French
– Helman PTA Scholarship: $500
Daniel Gorin
– Mimi Scholarship: $1,000
Irie Grove
– AHS Alumni Association Scholarship: $2,000
Naya Hamilton
– David Steele Memorial Scholarship: $2,500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $3,000
Max Hanson
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Tehya Hanzel
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
JoJo Harrower
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
Jaydan Hermogenes
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
Zahara Hernandez
– Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship: $3,600
Kiana Heyerman
– Kiwanis Tommy Laird Scholarship: $1,000
– Rotary Club of Ashland – Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,500
Makai Heyerman
– Rotary Club of Ashland – Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,500
Nate Hobein
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Ashland Masonic Lodge Scholarship: $2,000
– Kiwanis Vocational / Technical Scholarship: $1,500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,000
– Splinter Group Design Scholarship: $500
Maximilian Hoerrmann
– Helman PTA Scholarship: $500
– Kiwanis Athletic Club Scholarship: $1,000
Emma Hudson
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,500
– OSAC – Clifford and Margaret McLean Memorial Scholarship: $1,000
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,800
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $2,000
Sharon Im
– AAUW of Ashland Scholarship: $2,000
– Kiwanis Key Clubber of the Year Scholarship: $1,000
– P.E.O. STAR Scholarship – Chapter FO: $2,500
Gio Jackson
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $500
Kei Jackson
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Kenna Jones
–Kiwanis Key Clubber of the Year Scholarship: $500
Mirabella Jones OSAC
– Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Jes Joranco
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Chapter AC P.E.O – Tina Wallis Scholarship: $1,310
Kekoa Kaho’okaulana
– Joseph Glenn Fjarli Memorial Scholarship: $250
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $2,000
Lexi Kemper
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Claire Kiekaefer
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
– Kiwanis Tommy Laird Scholarship: $1,000
– P.E.O. STAR Scholarship – Chapter FC: $2,500
– Soroptimist Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship: $4,500
Koa Macalusa OSAC
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
Leilana Kuhlow
– OSAC – Class of 1958 Scholarship: $1,500
– Project Youth Plus: $1,000
Teo Leiserson
–Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $1,000
Caden Lindgren
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Ashland Rotary Foundation: $4,000
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $2,000
Vera Lindsday
– The Bill Scholarship: $1,000
Vivian Martin
– AHS Alumni Association Scholarship: $2,000
– Ashland Lions Club Scholarship: $2,000
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $2,000
– Helman PTA Scholarship: $500
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $5,000
– Soroptimist CTE Scholarship: $4,000
Gage Martinez
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $500
Eli Mayo-Adams
– Lithia Springs CTE Scholarship: $5,000
Faye McCollough
– Mimi Scholarship: $1,000
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,000
Owen McCoy
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
Shekina McCullough
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Meah Montgomery
– OSAC – George A. Robertson Memorial Scholarship: $1,000
Aidan Moriarty
– AHS Drama Club Scholarship: $500
Jaiden Olson
– OSAC – Ashland High School Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
Quincy Pavilionis-Gooden
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Daniela Purnot
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Amelie Requejo
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
– National Honor Society: $1,000
– P.E.O. STAR Scholarship – Chapter BN: $2,500
– Soroptimist Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship: $4,500
Ella Robinson
– OSAC – Howard Dreiszus Memorial Scholarship: $1,200
Raphael Roggema
– OSAC – William D. Mearns Memorial Scholarship: $1,196
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Freeman Rountree
– Jeff Rhoden Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
June Sherman
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
Madison Sink
– Ashland Food Co-Op Scholarship: $1,500
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
Calypso Skye
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
– Project Youth Plus: $500
Delphi Snow
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Ayala Stonewood
– Ashland Education Association Scholarship: $500
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $2,000
Sonja Streeper
– OSAC – Howard Bullen Family Scholarship: $1,000
– OSEA – Chapter 42 Scholarship: $500
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Nova Teem
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Isaiah Totten
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Aaron Urrutia
– OSAC – Lynette Kelly Scholarship: $1,000
Bodhi Wier
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
Davis Willeby
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $2,000
Teddy Williams
– Carpenter Grant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000
Taylor Woods
– Mimi Scholarship: $1,000
– OSAC – Maple Kindness Scholarship: $1,000
Emmett Wynkoop
– OSAC – Madge F. and Ernest H. Bearss Scholarship: $1,000
Nathan Yockey
– Elks Harrison Fund Scholarship: $1,000
Blake Yockey
– Elks Harrison Fund Scholarship: $1,000
Ming Zhang-Hofer
– Ashland Rotary Foundation Scholarship: $4,000
– Fairy Godmother Scholarship: $5,000
– Project Youth Plus: $250
Email Ashland.news staff reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].
Southern Oregonians are expected to turn out Saturday as part of a nationwide protest dubbed “No Kings” protesting how President “Donald Trump has been reaching for unprecedented powers, fashioning himself a ruler in a country founded on a rejection of kings,” according to an event announcement posted on the Oregon District 2 Indivisible website.
Southern Oregon University will welcome 880 class of 2025 graduates and their family, friends and well-wishers to Raider Stadium, 378 Wightman St., on Saturday morning for the university’s 99th Commencement ceremony.
Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara said kids speeding through town on electric bikes have crossed a threshold of risk where law enforcement needs to respond with speeding tickets.
As the state faces soaring levels of evictions, the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday moved ahead with a budget for Oregon Housing and Community Services that includes large cuts for two key services: eviction prevention and homelessness prevention.
Herbert Rothschild: My contrasting experiences at Yale and LSU explain why I have mixed feelings about the multibillion-dollar legal settlement between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences, and lawyers representing all Division I athletes.
This week’s crossword: flora and fauna on a schedule, plus a canine calendar reference for Strider. Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next Friday’s crossword: “Enjoy the Ride #02.” More crosswords under the Culture menu.
Southern Oregonians are expected to turn out Saturday as part of a nationwide protest dubbed “No Kings” protesting how President “Donald Trump has been reaching for unprecedented powers, fashioning himself a ruler in a country founded on a rejection of kings,” according to an event announcement posted on the Oregon District 2 Indivisible website.
Southern Oregon University will welcome 880 class of 2025 graduates and their family, friends and well-wishers to Raider Stadium, 378 Wightman St., on Saturday morning for the university’s 99th Commencement ceremony.
An exhibition of her work, titled “Irene Kai: The Journey,” is on display through June 28 at the Langford Art Gallery, 4850 S. Pacific Highway, Phoenix.
Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara said kids speeding through town on electric bikes have crossed a threshold of risk where law enforcement needs to respond with speeding tickets.
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