Two Students Score Neighborfest Scholarships

Two Eastern Washington University students at opposite ends of their academic journeys recently received $1,000 scholarships awarded through a Neighborfest giveaway, sponsored by the EWU Alumni Association.

“I’m just really excited. It’s going to be really helpful,” says Haleigh Camberg, an 18-year-old from Lacey, Washington, who arrived in September and within a few short days won a scholarship at the Sept. 25 event.

Camberg, a dental hygiene major who plans to work with children and adults with disabilities and injuries, transferred into Eastern with two years of Running Start credits under her belt. Although her tuition is covered through her father’s military benefits, she pays for her own living expenses.

“I’m looking forward to being able to not stress about money, because I was really stressed,” Camberg says, adding that the award will help cover housing costs at snyamncut residence hall.

 

Nathan Johnson, a 21-year-old senior from Yakima, Washington, was also thrilled to receive a Neighborfest scholarship.

Having grown up in a family of educators, Johnson saw the impact teachers make and came to Eastern to major in mathematics education. He recently started his teaching practicum at Ridgeline High School, in Spokane Valley, and will take over a classroom full time this spring.

Johnson, who has worked at the University Recreation Center climbing wall since his sophomore year, knows he will need to reduce his work hours during his full-time practicum, which is unpaid, so the scholarship will come in handy.

 

“It’s really a relief to have just a little bit of extra income – and fun to have it through Eastern. I feel supported,” Johnson says. “I’m just really thankful for all the people who provided funds for this opportunity. It’s been really sweet.”

 

Johnson notes that he appreciates the School of Education’s gradual approach to student teaching.

“I’m getting integrated into it slowly, with classes supplementing it,” he says. “I’m in the classroom one day a week for my practicum right now while taking classes at Eastern. I’ll be there more in the winter and full time in the spring. I like the way they prepare you and transition you into the classroom.”

Both students are embracing campus life. Johnson is a member of Cru, a Christian campus ministry club, and also connects with students through his job at the climbing wall. Camberg participates in study groups, joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and performs with the EWU dance team.

Encouraging students to get involved and experience a sense of community is what the Neighborfest scholarship is all about, says Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, director of alumni relations.

“That’s the big thing we always tout to students: just get involved in whatever it is. Neighborfest is a great way of trying to find ‘whatever that is’ because there is something for everyone,” Hatch-Brecek says.

The Alumni Association began awarding a single $1,000 Neighborfest scholarship four years ago. Students receive “passport cards” and must visit about a dozen of the 238 tables at Neighborfest to receive stamps that qualify them for the drawing.

The passports encourage them to connect with representatives of student clubs, recreational opportunities, Greek life, academic offerings and local businesses to learn more about what Eastern and the town of Cheney has to offer.

This year, Hatch-Brecek was pleased the association had enough funding to provide two Neighborfest scholarships, in addition to another 22 scholarships awarded to children and grandchildren of Eastern graduates – awards totaling $68,000.

Funding for those Alumni Association Scholarships comes from Eagle license plate sales, Eagle Flights Wine Club memberships, the Alumni Adventures travel program, and individual donations.

Hatch-Brecek says she is thrilled with this year’s Neighborfest scholarship recipients.

“I love that one of them is a graduating senior about to become an alumnus and enter the teaching field, and the other is a freshman just starting out.”