RAINIER SCHOLARS ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Where hope and hard work meet access and opportunity RAINIER SCHOLARS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Zander Doroski | Chair Martha Bejar Andy Jassy | Vice Chair Kristina Ota Belfiore Diankha Linear | Secretary David Clarke Reggie Brown | Treasurer Dave Cotter Rod Jones Laura Orser Rich Padden Sujal Patel Gail Ransom Aaron Richmond John Snyder Robert Strong Dr. Ed Taylor Chris Toher A MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRS

WELCOME TO THE RAINIER SCHOLARS 2017 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Over 15 years ago, Rainier Scholars was just an idea in the mind of one determined man with a vision. Students and families started a journey with nothing more than hope and the promise that their hard work would pay off. As we celebrate another class of college graduates, it is clear that student success can be found where hope and hard work meet access and opportunity.

On the journey our scholars discover strengths they didn’t know they had, opportunities they never imagined, a clear path to a college degree and a career of their choosing. In this room today, over 1,000 business and community leaders will see proof of our scholars’ courage and commitment as we celebrate their achievements and are moved by their stories. We cheer their college choices and applaud their college degrees, knowing they will make a positive impact as engaged citizens and leaders in this world.

Thank you for believing in our scholars from the very J’Kela Smith Union College start – and for matching their hard work and hopeful Class of 2017 spirits with access, opportunity and choice.

Laura Orser Diankha Linear Event Co-chair Event Co-chair COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH RAINIER SCHOLARS GRADUATES IN 2O17

Carnegie Mellon University Johns Hopkins University St. Olaf College Claremont McKenna College Kalamazoo College Tufts University Dartmouth College Macalester College Union College Davidson College Middlebury College University of Southern California Evergreen State College Occidental College University of Washington Harvard College Seattle University Western Washington University Yale University

Khoa Nguyen Menbere Kebede Ellis Simani Davidson College Tufts University Claremont McKenna College Class of 2017 Class of 2017 Class of 2017 LUNCHEON PROGRAM

11th ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Welcome Addison Sawyer | Cohort IX, Franklin High School, Class of 2017

Message of Gratitude Brady Huang | Cohort IX, The Bush School, Class of 2017

Hope Miguel Silva-Soria | Cohort XI, Seattle Prep, Class of 2019

Where I’m From Video Message from Cohort XV

Lunch

A Vision of Access and Sarah Smith | Executive Director, Rainier Scholars Opportunity

Degrees of Change College Graduates 2017

Trust Meets Hard Work Shelley Hardwick | Rainier Scholars Parent Zoe Hardwick | Cohort IX, Smith College, Class of 2021

Promise of Jerusalem Jerusalem Hadush | Yale University, Class of 2017 Video Presentation

Investment in Kristina Ota Befiore | Board of Trustees, Rainier Scholars Our Future

Jerusalem Hadush Yale University Celebration of Addison and Brady with Future College Graduates Class of 2017 College Acceptances COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACCEPTING RAINIER SCHOLARS IN 2O17

Agnes Scott College Lewis & Clark College Smith College Amherst College Linfield College St. Olaf College The University of Arizona Macalester College Swarthmore College Babson College Marlboro College Trinity College Boston College Marquette University Villanova University Bowdoin College Michigan State University Washington State University Brandeis University Montana State University University of Washington Brown University University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Washington – Bothell University of California – Davis New York University Wesleyan University Carleton College Northeastern University Western Washington University Central Washington University Northwestern University Whitman College Chapman University Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences Whittier College Claremont McKenna College Occidental College Willamette University Colgate University University of Oregon The College of Wooster University of Colorado at Denver Pacific Lutheran University Columbia University Pacific University Cornish College of the Arts Pitzer College Denison University Pomona College Eastern Washington University University of Portland The Evergreen State College University of Puget Sound Goucher College Robert Morris University (PA) Harvey Mudd College University of Rochester Haverford College University of San Diego Hofstra University Santa Clara University Howard University Scripps College Yusuf Ibrahim Johnson & Wales University (Denver) Seattle Pacific University University of Washington Class of 2017 University of La Verne Seattle University RAINIER SCHOLARS IN ATTENDANCE

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS USHERS AND GREETERS

Cheyenne Brashear Teofila San Jose Dawit Ewnetu The Bush School The Northwest School Rainier Prep Brittany Carter Ramses Sanchez-Hernandez Darius Fields University Prep Lakeside School Mercer Middle School Rebecca Chung Sara Sarmiento-Ruiz Jaloni Fincher Rainier Beach High School Forest Ridge School of the Madison Middle School Sacred Heart Saymirah Cornelius-McClam Adriana Hernandez University Prep Addison Sawyer Seattle Girls School Franklin High School Angel De Los Santos Ayimen Hussien Raisbeck Aviation High School Aisse Torres Torres Chinook Middle School University Prep Daniel Ewnetu Julien Luu Oregon Episcopal School Kenyon Williams Washington Middle School O'Dea High School Natnael Gaguro Ana Sanchez-Medina Seattle Preparatory School Caper Woodson Seattle Academy Sylvester Middle School Gabriel Greening University Prep Julie Xu Aaron Zekaryas University Prep Hamilton Middle School Zoe Hardwick The Bush School Brady Huang The Bush School Laura Le Lakeside School Joanna Lee Lakeside School Simon Mehari Oregon Episcopal School Tony Ngo Garfield High School

Jaliyah Putney Seattle Academy Ange Clayton Mirutse Heyesus Harvard College Occidental College Class of 2017 Class of 2017 LUNCHEON TABLE CAPTAINS

Giselle Achecar Teri Franklin Laura & Peter Orser Bob Strong Bill Adamucci Hugh Furubayashi Jeff Ota Will Strong Tom Alberg Matt Garman Rich & Laurie Padden Christina Sylvester Perry Atkins Jameson Greenfield Monica Parker Ed Taylor Carolyn & Max Bardon Mark & Krissy Grey Sujal & Meera Patel Chris Toher Deri Bash Matt Griffin & Evelyne Rozner Gianna Puerini Rade Trimceski Martha Bejar Cynthia Gylov Mary Pugh Bradaigh Wagner Kristina Belfiore Leslie Magid Higgins Amelia Ransom Brenetta Ward BJ Bell Larry Hood Gail & Larry Ransom Jennifer Ward Robert Berntson Sumiko Huff Aaron & Hilary Richmond Nathan Webb Robert Best Nate Ill Ray Roberts Phil Welt Charlie Billow Francis Janes Anne Sarewitz Kristin Wennberg Katie Boland Andy & Elana Jassy Jessie Schreiber & Rory Henneck Joe Whittinghill Ray Bowen Rod Jones Joan Smith Thomas Wilson Sean Boyle Claudia Kauffman Sarah Smith & Katie Hester Susie Wu Charles Brighton Mary Kerr John & Mary Snyder Gary & Lark Young Reggie Brown Bob Kimball Lee Stephenson & Susan Hester Laura Butler Tom Leptich Alexa Carver Kelly Lillis Jennifer Cast Diankha Linear Stella Choi Susan Long-Walsh Jeanne Chowning Mary Loudon David Clarke Kate Marks Steve Clyne Sean McCann Jolenta Coleman-Bush Mike McGill Dave Cotter Matt McIlwain Michael Dash Charles McIntyre Zander & Hilary Doroski Karen Merz Jen Dynes Jeff Murphy

Tim Engle Lance Neely Danait Yemane Hamzah Aly Roy Fisher Ron Norris Johns Hopkins University University of Washington Class of 2017 Class of 2017 Christina Fitzpatrick Kaila Nsimbi Fred Fox Crystal Ondo The vision of Rainier Scholars is one of breaking barriers, that with opportunity and education our scholars can truly grow into the leaders of tomorrow, and that ‘‘our democracy and society will be all the stronger for their presence.

Sarah Smith | Executive Director

Yohanna Iyob Shirley Chu Dawit Workie Kalamazoo College University of Southern Dartmouth College Class of 2017 California, Class of 2017 Class of 2017 LUNCHEON SPONSORS

VALEDICTORIAN

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Matt & Evelyne The Padden Family

MAGNA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE

Uresco and The Lissy Moore Foundation

HONORS

CenturyLink | Cornerstone Advisors | Focal PLLC | King & Oliason PLLC | MJR Development

Parker, Smith & Feek | ProKarma | RSM US LLP | Safeco Insurance | Seattle Children’s

Seattle University | U.S. Bank

Special thanks to our college sweatshirt sponsor: Roscoe’s Ranch – Your Dog’s Home Away from Home Mission Rainier Scholars cultivates the academic potential and leadership skills of hard-working, low-income students of color. By creating access to transformative educational opportunities and providing comprehensive support to scholars and families, we increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders.

2100 24th Avenue South, Suite 360 Seattle, Washington 98144-4646

206.407.2111 rainierscholars.org