51福利社

A senior majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing was the lucky winner of the Alumni Association鈥檚 Neighborfest Scholarship for $1,000.

鈥淚鈥檓 pretty excited. It鈥檚 a pretty cool opportunity for me,鈥� said Cheyenne Nygaard, 19, of Pe Ell, Washington.

Nygaard, who arrived at 51福利社 with two years of Running Start credits, was on the fence as to whether to even enter the annual scholarship drawing.

鈥淚 thought the odds of winning that were really, really slim,鈥� says Nygaard, who was notified by email that her name had been drawn. 鈥淚 was so shocked. Like I really thought there was no chance, because I know a bunch of people who entered.鈥�

Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, director of alumni relations, says the 51福利社 Alumni Association awarded $66,000 in scholarships during the 2023-2024 academic year, with a total of 22 scholarships given to students ranging from freshmen to graduate-level.

Those scholarships, which are $3,000 awards, along with Nygaard鈥檚 winning $1,000 scholarship, are funded by the Alumni Association鈥檚 Eagle Flights Wine Club and 51福利社 license plates programs.

鈥淐ongratulations to this year鈥檚 recipient on her accomplishments and commitment to her future,鈥� Hatch-Brecek says. “We are proud to support the next generation of Eagles with this scholarship. By investing in our students, we strengthen our community and carry forward a legacy of excellence, resilience, and pride.鈥�

Nygaard, who belongs to the Alpha Omicron PI sorority, and plans to go to law school and, perhaps, write novels on the side, enjoys the work the group does to support different causes, including the Arthritis Foundation. She also likes the overall vibe at Eastern, which is a 6-hour drive from her hometown 鈥� close enough to travel home for holidays.

鈥淓astern has got a beautiful campus. The tuition here is great too, which was definitely a pretty big consideration when I was looking at where I wanted to go. I like the size of Eastern because it鈥檚 not tiny, but it鈥檚 also not huge 鈥� and I don鈥檛 get lost here.鈥�

Nygaard, a top student, receives Honors and Soaring Eagle scholarships and works summers to help pay for college.聽 She plans to use the Alumni Association scholarship to cover books and basic living expenses 鈥� and is grateful for the overall support.

鈥淔or me, it takes a lot of the pressure off just to be able to focus on my school and I鈥檓 not worried about how I鈥檓 going to pay for it,鈥� Nygaard said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just really glad to get this opportunity, it just really helps.鈥�