NECA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT SUMMARY
2011-2023

Each year our Chapter awards a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving senior through the Office of Student Access and Completion of the State of Oregon. As of 2023, the Chapter added an additional scholarship for a total of two scholarships.

We are annually funding five students ($2,000 each) until they have completed their senior year of college.

The following are the individuals currently being funded:

2023: Leah Boles & Maggie Lindhorst

Leah Boles—Leah graduated from Seaside High School and was valedictorian of her class. She served as class president and ASB Vice president as well as captain of the varsity girls soccer team. She was an active member of Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honors Society and the girls golf team. Leah is very passionate about serving her community, especially youth, and volunteered in her church ministry department and was crowned Astoria Regatta Queen. Both of these activities gave her the opportunity to positively impact youth in her community. After high school, Leah will attend Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego California, where she is enrolled in their honors program. She will be studying business and plans to attend law school after getting her undergraduate degree. Her hope is to become a lawyer and work with women and children who have suffered abuse. Outside of school, Leah loves to go to Thorns and Timbers games and explore the beautiful Oregon Coast with her family and friends. 

Maggie Lindhorst—Maggie recently graduated from Dufur High School with an honors diploma and was valedictorian of her class. She will be attending Corban University to study mathematics to become either a mathematician for NASA or SpaceX or to become a math professor. She chose Corban University because she wants a faith-based education and a small community of students to grow with. Additionally, she hopes to bring science back to Christianity. On the other hand, she chose to major in mathematics because she has enjoyed science her entire life and is gifted in mathematics. Aside from her choice of college and major, she also has a variety of different hobbies such as playing guitar, studying science and fashion designing. She is so grateful for the scholarship, as it will make her college journey as affordable as possible.

2022: Ryan Nichols—Ryan graduated from Banks High School with an Honors Diploma, a 4.113 GPA, and as Class Valedictorian. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was Vice President of the Banks FFA Chapter. Outside of school, some of his favorite hobbies are playing baseball, riding quads, and enjoying the outdoors. Ryan is currently attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to study Aerospace Engineering. He was very excited to hear the news that he was chosen for this scholarship and very thankful for what it means to him. Ryan said, “I now get to look forward to being able to better focus on my studies and worry less about the financial burden I will be left with after college. This also means I will have a higher chance to complete my degree in aerospace engineering and make my dreams of humanity exploring the universe to understand our place in it a reality.”

2021: Grace Maier—Grace graduated from Tigard High School with honors this year and was one of the valedictorians. Grace was also involved in many clubs such as Stop Tigard Underage Drinking and Drug abuse ( S.T.U.D.D.) She was in Key Club, National Honor Society, No Place for Hate, Link Crew, and was an educational officer for Period Club. Additionally, Grace played soccer and ran track for four years and golf during senior year. Outside of school, she has worked at a retirement home for almost three years now, as well as Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for less than one year. Outside of academics and work, Grace loves to paint and create pottery. She enjoys hiking with family and friends and cooking. Next year she is going to Boise State University and majoring in Mathematics with an emphasis on secondary education. She plans to teach eighth or ninth grade math after college.

2020: Avery Burke-Doyle—Avery lives in Southeast Portland with his two moms, Kelly and Dolores, and his younger sister Evan. He is graduating from Cleveland High School and plans to attend Columbia University in the fall. Avery is the Valedictorian, a State Semi-Finalist in soccer and he received his school's Latinx Si Se Puede award. In his free time, he loves to play soccer, hike, learn new languages and do woodworking projects. 

Past recipients

2019: Jacob Straessle—Jacob graduated from Nestucca High School in Cloverdale, Oregon, with a 3.98 GPA and as Class Salutatorian.  He is a member of the National Honor Society and participated in a variety of clubs. Outside of school, Jacob likes to ride ATVs, go fishing and enjoy the Oregon Coast.  He will be attending Linfield College, beginning in August.  He plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Management, with a minor in Political Science.  Jacob is the son of James Vincent Straessle of EC Company.

2018: Sydney Hamilton— Sydney attended McNary High School and was involved in leadership and became a part of her school’s student government. She held the position of Community Service Chairperson for the last three years. Throughout all four years of high school, she accumulated over 500 hours of community service. She also graduated as Salutatorian of her class, meaning throughout high school she got all A’s and one B. Sydney is the daughter of Kurt Hamilton at Cherry City Electric.

2017: MaKenzie Thompson— MaKenzie graduated from Harrisburg High school and will attend Oregon State University in the fall, working towards a bachelor’s degree in science. Her career goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. MaKenzie is the daughter of Jeffrey Thompson at ON Electric Group.

2016: Ashleigh Moss – Ashleigh graduated from Sandy High School with Honors June 3rd, 2016. She received Varsity Letters for National Honor Society, Key Club, Track, Tennis and Robotics. She will be attending Oregon State University in the Fall for Biomedical Engineering.

2015: Anna Zentner – Anna wants to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.  She plans to attend a community college (fall of 2015) for two years through the OSU dual enrollment program then completing her degree at OSU.  While taking classes, she wants to work in a veterinary clinic.

2014: Peter Behrens – Peter is a graduate of Wilson High School and the son of Ariel Tindolph and Kevin Behrens who is an electrician with Cherry City Electric. He began at OSU in the fall on 2014.

2013: Stephan Drokin – Stephan is a graduate of Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon, and the son of Alex and Helen Drokin (Oregon Electric).  Stephan is on his way to Portland State University.

2012: Sadie Grasle– Sadie is a graduate of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Grant High School and the daughter of David and Melanie Grasle (Dynalectric). Sadie plans to attend Linfield College.

2011: Bethany Miller– Bethany is a graduate of Southwest Christian and the daughter of Randall and Eileen Miller (E.C. Company). Bethany plans to attend Portland State University.

We look forward to continuing this annual tradition of our Chapter in assisting those individuals who have worked hard and will continue to do so in the completion of their education.