Over $60,000 in Scholarships Awarded to 2025 Applicants

The Seattle King County First Citizen Scholarship Foundation is excited to announce that thanks to member generosity, 24 applicants will receive a 2025 scholarship, totaling $60,500. Scholarships are awarded to high school and college applicants, as well as our REALTOR® members, who demonstrate a commitment to community service. The Foundation has been awarding scholarships since 1999.

"Thanks to member generosity, our Foundation was able to award a record amount to young leaders who aspire for a better tomorrow in our communities," said Matthew Huddleston, Scholarship Foundation Chair. "These applicants have inspired us and filled us with optimism. If they are any indication of what's to come, our future is indeed bright and full of potential for positive change in our communities."

Shae Huppert, a senior at Garfield High School, is receiving the $5,000 Chris Osborn Scholarship as the top-rated high school applicant this year.  Shae was sponsored by REALTOR® member Mollie Huppert. Shae impressed the Foundation committee with her academic rigor, volunteerism, and student leadership, as well as her activism for student safety and representation in response to the tragic shooting of a school classmate in June of 2024. The event motivated her to organize student leadership summits to push police and city officials to do more for student safety and mental health. Next year, Shea plans to begin studying for a degree in Public Service and Public Policy at Arizona State University.

Each year the Foundation considers naming a scholarship as a tribute to leaders within the Seattle King County REALTOR® community. This year the Foundation honors Chris Osborn, an outstanding real estate attorney with Stoel Rives LLP, known nationwide for his expertise in multiple listing service issues and forms. Chris acts as legal counsel to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service and Commercial Brokers Association in Washington state.

For over 20 years, Chris has participated, pro bono, in the Battle of the Barristers. This premier educational program for residential real estate brokers is sponsored by the Seattle King County REALTORS® and is the primary fundraiser supporting the Seattle First Citizen Scholarship Foundation.

The 2025 Battle of the Barristers event will take place on October 1 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.