EVERETT—Everett Community College raised $94,500 at its annual “Looking to the Future” Foundation Benefit Breakfast on April 22, rallying over 250 community members in support of student scholarships, emergency funding and college programs.
Held at the Walt Price Student Fitness Center on campus, the event featured keynote speaker and EvCC alumna Dr. Kafiya Arte, whose educational journey began at EvCC and led to advanced degrees from the University of Washington, Ross University School of Medicine, and Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Her work in global healthcare and nonprofit leadership served as an inspiring reminder of the long-term impact of community college support.
“EvCC is a mass-producer of motivated changemakers,” Dr. Arte said. “By supporting EvCC and the EvCC Foundation, you are quite literally changing lives and supporting the future of our community. I just landed my first attending physician job that I will be starting in September 2025, and my very first donation will be to the EvCC Foundation—the foundation that jump started my educational journey 14 years ago.”
Also speaking at the event were EvCC student speaker Dafne Pinon Guzman, winner of the Washington State President’s Student Civic Leadership Award; EvCC President Chemene Crawford; and Executive Director of the EvCC Foundation Kristen McConaha. Speakers shared personal stories of growth, perseverance and how scholarships and emergency funds help keep students on track toward their goals.
Guzman, a student leader and advocate with Communities for Our Colleges, emphasized the broader impact of financial support.
“Earning the EvCC Foundation scholarship made a significant difference in my educational journey,” Guzman said. “The support and encouragement I received empowered me to keep going and set even greater goals. I am forever thankful to everyone who supports the Foundation and students like myself, and I am committed to paying it forward.”
The Foundation uses donations from the breakfast to expand scholarships, provide one-time emergency grants, and purchase equipment and technology students need to succeed.
“When you invest in students, you’re not just helping us pay for school—you’re fueling our power to lead, to advocate and to drive change,” McConaha said. “That kind of support transforms lives—not just ours, but the people and communities we serve.”
Admission to the breakfast was free, with attendees encouraged to give what they could. The Foundation partners with local businesses, community leaders and individuals to empower students and help shape the region’s future workforce.
Major sponsors of this year’s breakfast included Boeing, Gesa Credit Union, All City Fence, BECU, Tulalip Resort Casino, and Washington Trust Bank. Other sponsors were Alexander Printing, AFT Faculty Union, Aviation Technical Services, Bargreens, Canteen Vending, Coastal Community Bank, Community Transit, Hargis Engineers, KeyBank, Korsmo Construction, Mortenson, Puget Sound Kidney Centers, Re/MAX, Sound Credit Union, Steve & Debbie Wescott, Umpqua Bank, UW Bothell, Vine Dahlen, WSECU and WSU Everett.
To learn more or donate, visit EverettCC.edu/Foundation or call 425-388-9555.
Source: Everett Community College Foundation
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
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