The Seattle-King County First Citizen Scholarship Foundation is excited to announce that thanks to member generosity, 28 out of 33 applicants this year will receive a 2021 scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to high school and college applicants, as well as our REALTOR® members, who demonstrate a commitment to community service.

“During such a challenging year, our Committee was pleased to have the opportunity to review an impressive number of highly qualified scholarship applicants who embodied the full spirit and intent of our program,” said Gina Madeya, Scholarship Foundation Chair. “It was a privilege to be able to recognize the community contributions, leadership qualities and academic achievements of 28 applicants and provide a total of $44,000 dollars in well-deserved scholarships this year.”

India Unwin, 2021 Senior at Franklin High School in Seattle

This year, the Foundation named a top honor scholarship for Tomio Moriguchi, the 2020 Seattle-King County First Citizen and former CEO of Uwajimaya. The applicant chosen by the Foundation to receive the Tomio Moriguchi scholarship is Franklin High School Senior India Unwin.

India is a committed volunteer whose interest in museums led her to be involved with Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). At Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, her volunteer efforts and creative thinking helped the Park increase their youth engagement and earned her the George and Helen Hartzog Award in the regional youth category for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Interacting with kids was her favorite aspect of her volunteer experience. India also participated in MOHAI’s Internship Program where she served on a team of Youth Advisors. Her future endeavors include going to college out-of-state and working for the National Park Service.

Tomio Moriguchi, 2020 Seattle-King County First Citizen and Former CEO of Uwajimaya | Photo courtesy of Brandtegic

“We are pleasantly surprised and extremely honored to be recognized by the Scholarship Foundation,” said Tomio Moriguchi. “On behalf of our whole family, we are appreciative of our entire experience with being honored as the 2020 First Citizen recipient and of the REALTOR® Association who has been recognizing so many individuals who do great work in our communities. Congratulations to all 2021 scholarship recipients.”

You can read about Tomio and other past First Citizen recipients here. The Foundation has previously recognized past Board members Van Anderson and Peter Freet, and real estate attorney John Demco with special named scholarships.

The chief fundraising event for the Scholarship Foundation is the annual Battle of Barristers, which is a fundraising event that brings members legal advice while benefitting the Foundation. Stay tuned for this year’s Battle of the Barristers date.

282

students have received scholarships since its beginning in 1999

$487k

has been awarded in educational scholarships

Congratulations to our 2021 Scholarship recipients!

High School Recipients