Welcome

 Receiving the Poynter Foundation Scholarship is an incredible honor and a life-changing opportunity for me. As a single parent working hard to pursue a nursing degree while caring for my family, this support means more than words can express. It’s a reminder that I am not alone in this journey, and that others believe in my potential to create a better future for myself and those I care for. This scholarship lightens the financial burden and brings me one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse and giving back to my community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and belief in students like me. 

I am deeply honored and extremely grateful to receive this scholarship, which represents financial assistance and a validation of my journey and the goals I am striving to achieve. As I work toward my degree, I often grapple with feelings of imposter syndrome, questioning whether I truly belong in this academic space, especially as a single parent. My motivation stems from my desire to create a better life for my children, a life starkly different from the difficult childhood I experienced. My life has been shaped by a series of challenging yet transformative experiences, from growing up in a tough environment to recently overcoming a ruptured quadricep muscle that left me needing to relearn how to walk. This injury has been particularly challenging, as it impeded my ability to interact fully with my children and required countless visits to LNI doctors and physical therapy sessions. It was hard for me to accept support after my injury, and I constantly worried about whether my bills would be covered while I was on LNI. The weight of these concerns has been heavy, but receiving this scholarship lifts a significant burden from my shoulders.

These experiences, combined with my responsibilities as a single father to two children with autism and my work with adults who have intellectual disabilities, have given me a clear and personal understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities encounter every day. I’ve seen how well- meaning help can sometimes unintentionally hinder the independence and mental well being of those with disabilities. This realization has driven my commitment to advocating for change at the legislative, policy, and societal levels, ensuring that support is both empowering and respectful of individual autonomy.

This scholarship not only eases the financial strain of my education but also reinforces my determination to further my studies in Health Psychology. With this support, I am more motivated than ever to advocate for those with dual diagnoses, helping them achieve the independence and success they deserve. I am committed to using my education and personal experiences to create lasting change in how society, institutions, and policies approach disability. Thank you for believing in my potential and for providing me with the opportunity to continue this important work. Your support is a crucial step in my journey to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility. I hope that my story inspires others to push for meaningful change and to rethink how we approach care and support for those with disabilities. I also hope it serves as a foundation for a more inclusive and compassionate future.

Thank you for selecting me as a first-year recipient of the Poynter Scholarship.

 It is such an honor to be a recipient of the Poynter Scholarship for single parents.  My name is Erin and I am a single mom to my 11-year-old son, Paxton.   I am currently working full time as a dental hygienist on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands.  Paxton is an avid athlete and sports enthusiast.  During the spring we spend most of our weekends on the ferry heading to other islands for baseball or soccer games.   We love exploring and adventure!  This spring I started an online bachelor's degree program in health psychology at Eastern Washington University.  My passion is the art of helping people improve their mental and physical health.  With this degree, I will be able to broaden my reach and help people in a bigger way than my current profession allows.  The support this scholarship offers is more than financial.  Single parenthood can be lonely.  It feels good to be seen, respected and supported. I am so grateful to Ryan, Lauren and all the donors who made this scholarship possible for me.  The financial support helps me take my mind off of the stress of making ends meet so I can focus on my schoolwork and being there to cheer Paxton on at his games.  Thank you so much! 

Mykal is a single parent who has recently faced a series of significant hardships, including a serioous car accident and a child's emergency surgery, which resulted in loss of employment and financial instability. They ahve been actively searching for work while navigating setbacks and scams that have made the process even more difficult. Despite these challenges, Mykal has re-enrolled in school to get back on track and build a more stable future for their family. As a dedicated parent to an autistic child, they are determined to preserve and show their children the importance of resilience and not giving up. Financial support would help them maintain stability and continue their education while working towards re-employment. 

Deidre is a Criminal Justice student with a 3.89 GPA and a licensed EMT whose emergency response experience has strengthened her commitment to justice and advocacy. As a mother and adult student, she balances academic excellence with family responsibilities while pursuing long-term goals in lw and investigative work. She is passionate about writing, research, and ethical decision-making, and hopes to use her education and service experience to create meaningful, positive change within the justice system. 

Destiny is a motivated student majoring in Physics with a minor in Psychology, driven by a passion to understand both the universe and human behavior. Her academic journey has built her discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills through challenging coursework. She hopes to pursue scientific research and innovation while keeping a strong ffocuss on the human impact of science. Destiny is dedicated, hardworking, and committed to using her eduucation to create positive change.