EVERETT—Everett Community College (EvCC) raised $110,000 at its annual “Looking to the Future” Foundation Benefit Breakfast on April 15, 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 Ray Haug, whose educational journey began at EvCC and led to an engineering degree from the University of Washington. Haug interned at SpaceX and now works as a controls engineer in Lynnwood at Quality Controls Corporation.
Haug spoke about how earning a scholarship from the Foundation made him feel like he belonged in college, helped him put aside his past, and opened up opportunities that make him reflect with awe today.
“My future now is built upon my experiences, not limited by them,” he said. “Ten years ago, my greatest aspiration was to get out of prison and maybe get my driver’s license back. Today, I’m being flown out of state to work at one of the most innovative companies on the planet and having lunch with astronauts.”
EvCC President Dr. Chemene Crawford, Foundation Executive Director Kristen McConaha and student Cynthia Sijabala also shared at the event.
Sijabala spoke in a video interview about how a scholarship and emergency funding when her husband was hospitalized bridged the gap and allowed her to reach her final two quarters of study.
“It came at just the right time,” said Sijabala, who plans to transfer to a university and finish a bachelor’s degree in business. “When I finish my program, I would want to be a part of the sponsors because I think that is really noble because any little amount is really helpful.”
Breakfast attendees also watched a video about the impact the Foundation has on students and the college. Donations from the breakfast each year expand scholarships, provide one-time emergency grants, and purchase equipment and technology that 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.”
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, BECU, Columbia Bank, Cornerstone General Contractors, McGranahanPBK, Tulalip Gaming Organization and Washington Trust Bank. Other sponsors were All City Fence, ATS, Community Transit, KeyBank, Korsmo Construction, Re/MAX, Sound Credit Union, Steve & Debbie Wescott, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, UW Bothell, Vine Dahlen and WSU Everett, Alexander Printing, AFT Faculty Union, Bargreens, Canteen Vending, Coastal Community Bank, Hargis Engineers and WSECU.
To learn more or donate, visit EverettCC.edu/Foundation or call 425-388-9555.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
