TAG awards scholarship to BTC student Alicia More (to the right) at TAG's Annual Scholarship & Holiday Luncheon on December 6, 2007.

Pictured: Anna Ehnmark, Robin Halliday, Yvonne Bianchi, Sharon Carpenter and Alicia More

Alicia Moore

TAG Scholarship Recipient - 2007

Bellingham Technical College

Born in Tennessee, I grew up in a rather small family.  As a child I was very energetic and talkative. It wasn't until Middle School when I started to really work hard on my school work. I graduated high school in 2006 after taking time to plan my move to Washington State for college. I wanted to live on my own, picking my own school to attend for computers. So far, I'm learning a lot about life on my own, and it's been getting better and better.

I absolutely love the world of computers, so my academic goals relating to computers are never-ending. After completing my program at Bellingham Technical College, I'll be looking into taking more classes at another school for extra computer courses. My biggest dream job is to become some sort of computer graphic designer with websites or video games.

I've used student loans and grants to attend BTC. I'm getting a job soon to help my family out when it comes time to pay back the loans after school. I want to be able to take more classes after BTC, though... It's going to be a big challenge to be able to do all the academic goals I have.

In school, I try to help my class mates if they're having trouble. I'm also excited to help fix anyone's technological problems, too. If it is a student or teacher having a problem with a computer, TV, or printer, I'll always volunteer to help fix the issue. As for leadership, I try not to lead everything, but I am noticing I get leadership put on me because of my newfound self-esteem I have of myself.

In high school, I always made honor roll, making all A's and B's. I graduated high school with honors with a 3.6 GPA. In college, so far, I've been making all A's. I'm a hard worker, and always strive to turn in all assignments, projects, and essays on time, making sure I always do my best on everything. I also try to have my own time to have fun with computers, too. Video games are my favorite when I have time. It also relates to what I want to be in the future. I'm intrigued with graphics in video games and would love to become a visual designer in a game.

A note from Matthew Ferry - 2007 Scholarship Recipient from WWU

My name is Matthew Ferry. Ever since I was a young lad, I have had an attachment to technology. I wrote my first program in the 8th grade. I loved the idea of being able to create something useful using the resources that were available to me. Since middle school, my excitement for technology has only grown.

I have spent most of my life living in Washington State. I grew up in Issaquah, right next to the mountains. The mountains themselves had nothing to do with my interests in computer science, but they were still there. I took my first computer science class at Issaquah High School. This class brought me closer to understanding what it was like to work in a computer science related field. I later received credit for this course at Western.

Some of my hobbies include athletics, video games, and reading. I believe health and fitness is important to succeed in everyone's life. I like to play games such as Tetris Attack and I enjoy reading non-fiction books that are mostly related to science topics.

I have always liked building things and computer science has offered me an opportunity to explore this interest. I believe construction work and computer science are very similar things. When you construct a building or a road, you are building something using materials. You are building something that people will use. In the same way, when you construct programs in computer science you are building something, but what you are building does not come from material things. Instead, it comes from knowledge and creativity. It was this that inspired me at a young age.

I chose to attend Western Washington University because I found they have a good Computer Science department. My goal at WWU is to obtain a Bachelors degree in Computer Science. I am scheduled to graduate with honors at the end of my fourth year attending Western. I am still undecided if I will stay for a fifth year and obtain my masters, but by currently taking graduate level courses, I am leaving that option open.

I must thank TAG for the award that I have received. The generosity of TAG will help me obtain my goal of earning a Bachelors degree in Computer Science.

Nov. 7, 2006

Dear Members and Guests,

A venerable tradition of TAG has been the awarding of scholarships to worthy students seeking to advance their education in technology related fields. In recent years we have awarded four $500 scholarships to WWU, BTC, WCC and the Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium to support those students pursuing careers relevant to our member companies. 

As an example, this past year Lacey VanderVeen was awarded the TAG scholarship by the Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium.  This award was given to a Whatcom County student earning college credits in a Tech Prep approved program related to careers in Information Technology.  Lacey's clear career path of advanced business and computing related coursework and accumulated college credits made her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.  The college credits Lacey earned while enrolled in Business Education courses at her high school shortened her time to degree completion -- saving her additional tuition-related expenses.  Lacey is definitely a role model for how students can use the Tech Prep program to advance their future education and career goals.

The TAG scholarship fund is solely supported by the contributions of our members and guests.  The ability to offer four scholarships this year very much depends on your support.  On behalf of the Steering Committee of TAG, I request your financial help in continuing our scholarship program and encouraging our bright students to pursue careers in support of our technology community.

Please click here to view the donation form.  It only takes a few minutes to complete the form and submit with your contribution.  We very much appreciate your support this year.  

Gratefully,

Paul Grey
Chair - TAG

Lynden High School Student Receives State Recognition and TAG Scholarship

Lacey VanderVeen, daughter of Jason and Debbie VanderVeen and a recent graduate of Lynden High School was selected as the recipient of two scholarships.  Lacey received a $500 Washington State Tech Prep Directors' Association Scholarship awarded to only two students in the state.  Lacey was selected for her outstanding achievements in College Tech Prep for courses taken through the Business Education program at Lynden High School.  During 4 years of high school Lacey completed 8 college courses, earning 33 college credits that may be applied towards completing her degree in Business Administration at Whatcom Community College.  Since this is the first year the scholarship has been awarded, its a great honor to have a Whatcom County student selected as the recipient.
 
Lacey was also awarded a $500 WSA/Technology Alliance Group--Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium scholarship.  This award is given to a Whatcom County student earning college credits in a Tech Prep approved program related to careers in Information Technology.  Lacey's clear career path of advanced business and computing related coursework and accumulated college credits made her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.  The college credits Lacey earned while enrolled in Business Education courses at her high school will shorten her time to degree completion -- saving her additional tuition-related expenses.  Lacey is definitely a role model for how students can use the Tech Prep program to advance their future education and career goals.

Linda Cowan, Director
Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium
Bellingham Technical College
3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA  98225
360-752-8458
lcowan@btc.ctc.edu

Left Picture: Herm Laninga, Mike New, Robin Halliday and Curtis Dye