2023-24 NW Natural Scholarship Student Stories
- Dina Altuhovs, Pacific University
- Nathalie Alvarado, George Fox University
- Chris Olivia, Willamette University
- Angel Hernandez, Linfield University
- Ushna Khan, Bushnell University
- Mimi Le, Reed College
- Enrique Muñoz Villareal, Multnomah University
- Jose Ochoa-Delgado, Warner Pacific University
- Abigail Ramirez, Lewis & Clark College
- An Vu, University of Portland
Dina Altuhovs
Hometown and State: Lebanon, OR
College or University Name: Pacific University
Major: Chemistry
Class standing: senior
Pronouns: she/her
Thank you for the opportunity to continue my education at Pacific University. This year was extremely tough financially, as I have supported myself through college all three years with financial aid. I had no idea how I was going to pay for school this year, or if I would be able to finish my degree. Thanks to the generosity of NW Natural and their scholarship, I have more financial support and some stress has been removed from my shoulders.
Why did you choose your college and major?
I have loved chemistry since I was a sophomore in high school because of my teacher Miss Poole. She instilled a passion in me around chemistry that never knew I had, and, once I came to Pacific, I wanted to explore the topic of chemistry even more.
After graduation, I plan to…
Attend graduate school. Hopefully, at Pacific University for optometry.
This is the PLU Cross country race from September 2023, where I ran my first ever 6k. This is our head track coach, Ryan Hunter-Simms. He has showed me how to be hardworking and dedicated.
In this photo, I am performing an experiment for the organic chemistry course that I took last year, which was one of my favorite classes.
Nathalie Alvarado
Hometown and State: Keizer, OR
College or University Name: George Fox University
Major: Biology
Class standing: Junior
Pronouns: she/her
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
Thank you for the NW Natural Scholarship! I am incredibly for this support, and I am honored and privileged to have been selected as a recipient for this scholarship. Your scholarship makes it possible for me to continue my education at George Fox University and be able to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a pharmacist and help others in my community. I am truly thankful for your support because, through this scholarship, I will be the first in my family to graduate from college. Thank you for supporting me!
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose George Fox University because of the Christ-centered community, the small class sizes, and their biology program. I chose to major in biology because I am interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. I am interested in learning more about the biochemical mechanisms of drug action, drug uses, and physiology; therefore, I believe that the classes offered in this major will prepare me for the next step in my career.
After graduation, I plan to…
pursue pharmacy school to ensure that patients lead healthy lives.
Chris Olivia
Hometown and State: Portland, OR
College or University Name: Willamette University
Major: Computer Science & Mathematics
Class standing: Senior
Pronouns: he/they
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
This scholarship is meaningful to me because it allows me to continue my college education. Thank you for helping me reach my education goals.
After graduation, I plan to…
I plan to pursue a PhD in computer science with a focus on computer science education and/or Human Computing Interaction and hope to pursue a career in academia.
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose my majors because I was interested in working in the computer science field in my future career. I also was interested in majoring in mathematics when my advisor told me that it was possible.
Angel Hernandez
Hometown and State: Kelso, WA
College or University Name: Linfield University
Major: Business Management
Minor: Sports Management
Class standing: senior
Pronouns: he/him
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
This scholarship was meaningful to me in many ways. I was able to purchase school supplies, along with other necessities. Not having to worry about textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils is a significant relief for the 2023-2024 school year.
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose Linfield University for the opportunity of becoming a collegiate athlete. The culture of the men's soccer team was a strong fit to achieve a successful collegiate career. I also knew from my visit that the facilities, personnel, and environment would be a good fit to pursue my business degree.
After graduation, I plan to…
After graduation, I plan to work for a company like Nike. This is because of my business management degree and sports management minor. I would like to be connected to the sports world while working on the business side of athletics.
This is an image of my boyfriend and I in Newport, OR, at their lighthouse. My boyfriend was on leave from the Navy and was visiting me all the way from Georgia. I always appreciate the moments I get to have with him.
Ushna Khan
Hometown and State: Eugene, OR
College or University Name: Bushnell University
Major: Business Administration
Class standing: Junior
Pronouns: she/her
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
This scholarship was a crucial source of financial support, enabling me to pursue my educational aspirations without the burden of financial constraints. It provided me with the freedom to fully dedicate myself to my studies and embrace the learning journey wholeheartedly. I am sincerely appreciative of this scholarship and the immense opportunities it has unlocked for me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NW Natural and The Alliance for their generous support and belief in my potential. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose to attend a Christian university because I wanted to integrate my faith with my education. As for my business major, I have always had a passion for understanding how organizations operate and thrive. It felt like the perfect fit for my interests and career goals.
After graduation, I plan to…
After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in the business field, potentially focusing on areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship, or management. I'm excited to apply the knowledge and skills I've gained throughout my studies to make a positive impact in the business world.
Mimi Le
Hometown and State: Portland, OR
College or University Name: Reed College
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Class standing: Junior
Pronouns: she/he/they
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
Thank you so much for the NW Natural Scholarship! This support helps me focus on my classes instead of struggling to financially support myself through college.
After graduation, I plan to…
Get my master’s degree and then attend medical school.
Why did you choose your college and major?
Reed College is very close to my home, which is important to me as someone who was born and raised in Portland, OR. I want to pursue a career in medicine and my major helps me prepare for future courses in medical school. Reed also helps me build important laboratory skills I may need in the future.
Enrique Muñoz Villareal
Hometown and State: Hood River, OR
College or University Name: Multnomah University
Major: Business Administration
Class standing: Senior
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
The NW Natural Scholarship is meaningful to me because it shows that I am not alone in my journey to complete my bachelor's degree. It also motivates me to continue succeeding both academically and on the soccer field. Thank you for believing in me and joining my educational journey.
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose Multnomah University because I felt the staff really wanted me here. They made me feel welcome and believed that I could succeed at this institution as a student and person. I’m studying business administration because it is something that can be used in any profession.
After graduation, I plan to…
After I graduate, I plan on starting my master’s in leadership and management. Being able to teach and speak about a subject I know and enjoy is one thing, but being able to lead and manage people to completely understand a subject new to me is something else. I hope I can use my education to help guide people.
This photo is an action shot of one of our varsity scrimmages. It shows me nearest to the ball in black.
This is a picture of me during practice at Providence Park Stadium, home of the Portland Timbers!
Jose Ochoa-Delgado
Hometown and State: Woodburn, OR
College or University Name: Warner Pacific University
Major: Accounting
Class standing: Senior
Pronouns: he/him
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
The scholarship was meaningful to me because it allowed me to channel my effort into my academics rather than worry about my financial stress. Thank you for supporting my college career.
After graduation, I plan to…
I plan to work for an accounting firm within my county or region providing both tax and auditing services to clients. Once I settle down in a comfortable financial spot, I want to give back to my community by helping athletes be better informed through sports recruiting and financial aid sources.
Why did you choose your college and major?
I chose Warner Pacific University because of the small class sizes and the opportunity to have more interaction with my professors. I chose to study accounting because I always felt comfortable working with numbers. I enjoy that the accounting profession allows me to problem solve; I view accounting as a puzzle with numbers.
Abi Ramirez
College or University Name: Lewis & Clark College
Major: Chemistry
Class standing: Junior
Pronouns: she/her
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
A scholarship, to me, is not just about helping pay for college; it is a message from the organization, from the people there, that someone believes in me. That someone believes in my goal and is willing to put their hard-earned money towards furthering my education. I can’t thank you enough for the NW Natural Scholarship, I can only work harder to make the most of it.
Why did you choose your college and major?
Lewis & Clark is truly a wonderful community. I have loved every second of my experience and am happy to call it my college. Chemistry is such a wonderful subject, but of course I would think that being a Chemistry major. The one thing I have always loved about it is how flexible it is. I think that, whether it is biology, physics, or even psychology you can somehow bring chemistry into it. Considering it works on such a small level, chemistry connects all sciences.
After graduation, I plan to…
After graduation, I am going for my PhD and most likely spending the rest of my career doing lab work! In the future, though, I hope to possibly be a professor; I love the impression my chemistry professors have left on me and my classmates with their love for the subject. I hope to share the same love with future students, too!
An Vu
Hometown and State: Vancouver, WA
College or University Name: University of Portland
Major: Biology
Class standing: Senior
Pronouns: she/her
Why was this scholarship meaningful to you?
Thank you for awarding me the NW Natural Scholarship for the academic year 2023-2024. As a first-generation senior student majoring in biology, this scholarship is not just financial aid for me; it represents a beacon of support and encouragement in my educational journey. Embarking on a college education as a first-generation student has been both a challenge and a privilege. It has required resilience, hard work, and a constant belief in the value of education. Your generous scholarship significantly alleviates the financial burden associated with my studies, allowing me to focus more intently on my academic and career goals.
Why did you choose your college and major?
As a first-generation senior student majoring in biology with aspirations of attending dental school, this scholarship is incredibly meaningful. My interest in biology is deeply intertwined with my passion for dentistry. Understanding the intricate biological processes provides a strong foundation for my future studies in dental school.
After graduation, I plan to…
After graduation, I plan to attend dental school. Thank you again for your generosity and for investing in the futures of aspiring professionals like myself. I am dedicated to making the most of this opportunity.