Community Features

EHS seniors earn awards, scholarship recognition

"Have belief you can change the future," EHS seniors are told.

Updated June 02, 2026

EHS seniors earn awards, scholarship recognition — Seniors in Ephrata High School's graduating Class of 2026 took the stage during a May 26 awards recognition ceremony. Photos by Randy Bracht

EPHRATA — The accomplishments and future ambitions of 40 Ephrata High School seniors were lauded during an awards/scholarships recognition ceremony last week.

EHS counselor Jay Mills reminded the pending graduates during the May 26 event that scholarship donors and organizations are “investing in you. They found you worthwhile.”

So while the seniors should rightfully “enjoy this evening … it’s about you,” said Mills, he also encouraged them to later thank and remember “the people who helped you along the way.”

Collectively, scholarship awards for the Class of 2026 totaled over $300,000.

Among the featured presenters were Chelan Kleyn of the Paul Lauzier Foundation and Corinne Isaak and Kristen Elder of the Columbia Basin Foundation, two Ephrata-based organizations which have long provided scholarship funding and donor-administration support to benefit both college students and high school graduates in Grant County.

Isaak introduced Daniel Michael, a 1997 EHS graduate who told the seniors that he was a past scholarship recipient but — candidly — “did not use (that) scholarship well.”

“Don’t follow me in that path,” he advised.

But Michael, a development engineer for Microsoft in Redmond, recently provided a $25,000 contribution to Columbia Basin Foundation for the EHS Math scholarship established by now-retired teacher Megan Boland, who helped him pursue college.

“She was very dear to me and helped me personally” during high school, Michael recalled.

In recognition of his donation, Isaak said the scholarship will be renamed the Megan Boland EHS Math scholarship beginning next year.

Corinne Isaak (left), executive director of the Columbia Basin Foundation, shared a hug with retired Ephrata math instructor Megan Boland, who established a math scholarship that recently received a $25,000 donation from EHS grad Daniel Michael (right) to support future students.

Boland began teaching in Ephrata in 1985 and retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year. She and her husband, Mike, a 1973 EHS grad, traveled from their Spokane-area home to attend last week’s event.

In a statement, Ephrata School District superintendent Ken Murray recalled that Megan was one of his high school math teachers, then a mentor during his student teaching, and later a colleague during their respective classroom careers.

“Our district has been incredibly fortunate to have Megan serve generations of students with the same care, belief and dedication that she showed me,” Murray said.

Another former Ephrata teacher, the late Carla (Cabe) Pheasant, a 1985 EHS grad who passed away in December 2023, was also remembered by friends and colleagues with a newly established “Seeds of Success” scholarship awarded to students considering careers in education.

Picture this: an audience member snaps a photo of presenters and recipients of a newly established scholarship in memory of the late Carla (Cabe) Pheasant, an Ephrata graduate and longtime local teacher. Seen in the small frame at lower right are (l-r): presenters Roger Cobb, Marilyn Willauer, and Amy Krautscheid, and EHS seniors Alex Belino, Tessa Hausken and Rylee Holt.

Along with their future academic and vocational pursuits, EHS athletic director Bryan Johnson noted that eight Tiger student-athletes recently signed letters of intent to also compete in sports or related activities at the collegiate level.

“Eight is a pretty good number,” Johnson said of Alexa Bastida (cheer), Stella Bayley (golf), Alex Belino (track), Delanie Killinger (soccer), Hunter Mills (track), Caleb Moberg (football), Michael Park (cheer), and Lila Rainey (soccer).

Along with Mills, the EHS counseling staff involved in the May 26 ceremony included Rhonda Hagy, Laina Mitchell, and Jenny Ratigan.

EHS counselor Jay Mills encouraged the award winners to thank and remember "the people who helped you along the way."

In closing remarks, high school principal Ashlie Miller said she was “continually impressed by the community and the generosity of donors” in supporting Ephrata’s students.

“They believe in future possibilities, and you,” Miller told the seniors. “What matters most is how you treat (other) people. Use these gifts to help get there. Keep showing up, learning, growing. Be kind. Have belief you can change the future."

The following EHS Class of 2026 award honorees are listed by student name, scholarship name, and awarder/administrator (if different from the scholarship name):

NATALIN ALEXI ABUNDIZ: Deputy John Bernard (Columbia Basin Foundation/CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship.

ROBERTO XAVIER ARAUJO: Columbia Ridge PTO.

JENS DEAN BAIR: Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship.

YAZMIN BARRERA BARAJAS: John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); Carla Jo Pheasant “Seeds of Success” (CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF).

AMALYA ALEXA BASTIDA: Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); Becky Gillette Dunn Memorial (CBF); Jerry S. & June Burke (CBF); Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; Whitworth University Academic Achievement.

JOSEPH ORVILLE BEAULIEU: Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF).

ALEXANDER KEARNY BELINO: Carla Jo Pheasant “Seeds of Success” (CBF); John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); Wayne L. Bartelheimer Memorial Scholarship (CBF); Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

KALLEE RAYN CASTILLO: Ephrata Kiwanis Club Scholarship; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

ALEXIS RENEE CHORNUK: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; Promise Scholarship (Lindsay Mayer); Columbia Basin Hospital Auxiliary.

KASHLYNN KAY COBB: Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

ALEXANDRA NAHOMY ESTRADA RANGEL: Burger King; Central Basin Audubon Society; Boise Academic Achievement (Boise State University); Ephrata High School Class of 1954 (CBF); John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); EHS Math (CBF); Kobata Scholarship (Kobata Scholarship Foundation); Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship; JP & Maude Schroeder Scholarship (US Bank); PEO; Ephrata Rotary Club.

ROXANNE ILENE GARAY: University of Idaho Merit Academic Scholarship.

CARTER WAYNE GARCIA: Windermere Scholarship (Windermere Real Estate); John H. & Mary Lee (CBF); Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship.

TESSA ANNE HAUSKEN: Phyllis Lawson Scholarship (WACTA); Washington State University Regents; Washington State University Top Scholars; Ken Ardell; Jerry Simon Memorial (Cathy Simon); Woody and Joan Bernard 4-H Scholarship (4-H); Highline Grain Growers; Beverly Mayer Memorial (Ephrata Alumni Association); Carla Jo Pheasant “Seeds of Success” (CBF); John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); Bernie Martin (CBF); TJ Sortomme Memorial (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; Ephrata Kiwanis Club Scholarship; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; Ephrata Rotary Club.

BRADY L. HENDRICK: Ephrata Alumni Association; Amanda Evans Memorial (CBF); Pheasant Family (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; Marty O'Brien (CBF).

RYLEE MADISON HOLT: Ken Ardell Scholarship (Ardell Foundation); Percy F. Stepon Memorial (Stepon Foundation); Jerry Simon Memorial (Cathy Simon); Highline Grain Growers; Carla Jo Pheasant “Seeds of Success” (CBF); Ivan Bodrero Agriculture (CBF); Bernie Martin (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; Washington State High School Rodeo Association; Ephrata Kiwanis Club Scholarship; University of Idaho Merit Academic Scholarship; Ephrata Rotary Club; John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF).

YANELI AURORA HURTADO ARMIJOS: Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); John H. & Mary Lee (CBF).

LILLIANA JOHNSON: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

DELANIE JOI KILLINGER: Spokane Community College/NWAC Athletic Scholarship (SCC); Patricia M. Honsowetz (CBF); Bill Thorton & Ardell Filip (CBF); Margaret S. Downs; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

TYLER LINLEY KONO: Wayne L. Bartelheimer Memorial Athletic (CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); BBCC Foundation High School Graduate Scholarship (Big Bend Community College); Gates Scholarship Class of 2026 (Gates Foundation).

HUNTER LEE MANSFORD: Ephrata Eagles Auxiliary No. 3338 (Ephrata Eagles); Central Washington University Crimson Tuition Scholarship.

HUNTER WILLIAM NINO MILLS: Whitworth Academic Achievement Scholarship, Whitworth Visit Scholarship, Whitworth Alumni Early Referral (Whitworth University); Gonseth Family; Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF).

CALEB AUSTIN MOBERG: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

CAROLINA MONICO: BBCC Promise Scholarship (Lindsay Mayer); BBCC Foundation High School Graduate Scholarship (Big Bend Community College).

SHAYLA IRELAND OLSICK: Columbia Basin Hospital Auxiliary; BBCC Promise Scholarship (Lindsay Mayer).

MICHAEL JAY PARK: John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); Dave Middleton Tiger Spirit Award (CBF).

JAYDEN HOWARD PELLHAM: Ephrata Alumni Association; Clifford & Irma Jean Moe Scholarship; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

PAISLEY CHARLOTTE RIBBLE: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

ROBERT COLE RICKERT: Ivan Bodrero Agriculture (CBF); Gonseth Family (CBF); Pheasant Family (CBF); Bernie Martin (CBF); Mike Ratigan (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; Washington Hay Growers Association; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

PAYTON MARIE ROBERTS: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; CWU Crimson Tuition Scholarship (Central Washington University).

CECILIA CLAIRE ROTH: Boise State (University) Academic Achievement.

MICAH J. SANDBERG: Jeanette Marbourg (CBF); John & Jeanette Steinmacher (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; Ephrata Educational Association; Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

ADYLENE SANCHEZ: Bill Thorton & Ardell Filip (CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF).

HADASA SANCHEZ-CRUZ: Becky Gillette Dunn Memorial (CBF); Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF).

KENNEDY ANN SCHAFER: Ferne Daniel Extraordinary Effort (CBF); Kobata Scholarship.

WYATT KOHEN SCHLUCKEBIER: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship; BBCC Foundation High School Graduate Scholarship (Big Bend Community College).

BRICE JACOB STRICKLER: Bill Thorton & Ardell Filip (CBF); Sherman Clayton Memorial (CBF); Pat Flannery Principal’s Award (CBF); Kobata Scholarship; University of Idaho Scholars Excellence Award.

SCARLETT ROSE URIBE: CWU Crimson Tuition Scholarship (Central Washington University); Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

CYNTHIA VILLAGRAN MORALES: Lauzier Foundation Scholarship.

NOAH MATTHEW YAWNEY: Admissions Achievement Award (Western Washington University).