Pictured: Steve Emory, Senior Calum Manion, OHEF Executive Director Lisa Jones

On June 12, Oak Harbor High School celebrated its annual Senior Scholarship Night. Our local community contributed to more than $300,000 in scholarships this year, including nearly $70,000 in scholarships through Oak Harbor Educational Foundation (OHEF).

At $25K, the Captain Frank Emory Memorial Scholarship is the highest single award amount of any OHEF scholarship. For the first time, it's founder, Steve Emory, traveled from Utah to present the scholarship that was created in memory of his father, an Oak Harbor High School graduate who flew P-47s and P-51s with the 8th Air Force out of England in 1943 following his graduation. A photo in a news clipping from the time showed his father, a then-Captain Frank Emory, standing in front of his fighter plane, the caption read: Captain Frank Emory, Graduate of Oak Harbor High School. Emory's family farm was condemned around 1939 to build NAS Whidbey in anticipation of impending war. Frank Emory retired a Colonel in 1971 and passed away in 2001.

This was Steve Emory's first time visiting Whidbey Island in over 60 years, but he has funded scholarships for Oak Harbor seniors for close to a decade.

"It's amazing to see the leadership skills that these high school students have," said Emory.

Other presenters of OHEF scholarships included Lyn Bankowski on behalf of Island Thrift Scholarships, Barabara and Chris Lindberg for the Coach Eric Lindberg Scholarship, Brian Jones for the JJ Jones Family Scholarship, and representatives from Whidbey Island Roller Derby. OHEF Board President Erica Wasinger, Board Director Emily Couch, and Executive Director Lisa Jones also presented scholarships on behalf of the Foundation.

"I feel so honored and the scholarship will help me to pursue my college dreams," said Senior Cady Ritz.

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