2018 Scholarship Winners!

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to continue their education and realize their dreams. So in 2016 we launched the Gotta Have School scholarship program to provide extraordinary students in need with the funds to take a step forward.

In 2018, our third year we received over 2,900 amazing applications. From this group we selected FIVE outstanding young people who are each receiving a $1,000 scholarship for school.

These students have defied their odds and shown endless strength in the face of challenges. They are passionate individuals who give back to their community at every turn. And they have huge goals for their future. So watch out world, they’re coming for you and are going to shake things up.

ANNOUNCING THE GOTTA HAVE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP CLASS OF  2018!

Kendall Fleshman

Kendall has been involved in many extracurricular and volunteer activities throughout her high school including: four years as a Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador, three years on the Abby’s Closet Student Advisory Board, and one year as a Multnomah Youth Commissioner. Additionally Kendall has also done two language immersion trips to Spain, and over 400 hours volunteering at a senior care home. Kendall believes that volunteering has become a large part of who she is. This fall Kendall will be attending college and plans to pursue a degree in International Business with minors in Spanish and Fashion. Kendall’s long-term career goal is to run her own fashion brand with a service or charity foundation directly tied to it and that work.

Devon Chen

Devon is graduating from Virginia High School in Bristol, Virginia and will be attending Dartmouth College this fall. As a high school student, Devon has been volunteering at the local library, working with the children’s section, helping students to discover their love of reading, and conducting children's activities. This volunteer experience has provided Devon with an opportunity to both give back to his community that brought him countless hours of happiness when he was young, and at the same time able to help give that same joy to kids just like him. Devon loves playing saxophone and tennis, and is the drum major for his school's marching band as well as a captain for his academic team. Devon’s long term goal is to return to Bristol, VA and work to support a growing economy, and work to bring businesses, jobs, diversity, and exposure that he believes the town needs.

Alondra Cortes-Suarez

Alondra is a senior at El Capitan High School, and hopes to become a high school teacher and return to teach at her own high school. Alondra has extensive volunteer experience including at her local hospital and at her school. At the hospital Alondra has helped to discharge patients, pass out water, and to translate Spanish for the nurses. At her high school she’s volunteered extensively with various programs including mentoring freshman and middle school students, as well as at El Capitan’s Recycling Program. Alondra is a first-generation American and will be a first-generation college student.

Miracle Olatunji

Miracle is an entrepreneur, public speaker, and forthcoming author, and at age 18 she is also the founder of OpportuniMe, a startup with the mission to help high schools and their students to easily find and create year-round, high-quality experiential opportunities. Additionally she has volunteered with Headbands of Hope and facilitated the donation of over $30,000 worth of headbands to over two dozen hospitals across the country. Next year, in college, Miracle plans to study finance, entrepreneurship, and computer science.

Eve Pike

Eve is from a small town in southern Georgia, where she is graduating Valedictorian of her high school and will be attending The Georgia Institute of Technology starting this summer. She loves to travel, have adventures, and learn new things. While in high school she has volunteered with multiple organizations, and was a SkillsUSA Georgia State officer for 2017-18. As part of her SkillsUSA Chapter, Eve helped to fundraise $2,000 through a Benefit Walk to help cover medical expenses for a liver transplant for one of her teachers. Additionally Eve enjoys writing speeches and speaking in her community. Next fall, Even plans to major in International Affairs and Modern Languages, and one day hopes to study International Law.