Alaina Shafer, one of the 2021 scholarship recipients

The Fidalgo Island Rotary Club of Anacortes is excited to announce four recipients of its Connie Kelley Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to Fidalgo or Guemes island residents who are pursuing further education in vocational or technical career fields. 

Tatiana Acuna is enrolled in Skagit Valley college, where she is pursuing a degree in nursing. Tatiana was inspired by several of her patients while she was working a health care assistant to continue her education and become a certified nurse. When asked about her greatest strength, Tatiana commented, “When I find something challenging, I don’t quit!”  She also finds inspiration through her two young sons, who are excited their mother is going to become a nurse. 

Cyndi McFarland has found her passion in the brewery industry. She is seeking a degree in mico-brewing at Skagit Valley College. Cyndi welcomes the challenges faced by the small number of women in this industry. She plans to use her journalism background to provide information to customers about the various steps involved in creating craft beer. Cyndi’s career change was supported by her parents, who are both teachers, and have always stressed the importance of being happy in your career choice. 

Brady Guinn’s career has found a new path - that of a massage therapist. Brady is attending Northwest Academy for the Arts, in Bellingham. He is channeling his goal of giving back to his community by helping people in their quest for wellness through massage therapy. Brady believes his ability to relate to people, because he is a good listener, will be a great asset to his career choice. Brady is a full-time student and during the last year, he has also been a full-time teacher/dad to his second-grade son. 

Alaina Shafer will graduate from Cap Sante High School as a member of the class of 2021. She will pursue her life-long dream of becoming a cosmetologist. Alaina has been accepted to the cosmetology program at Evergreen Beauty School in Mount Vernon. She is excited to begin classes this fall. Receiving the Connie Kelley Memorial Scholarship has been even more rewarding for Alaina, because as she remarked, “both her mother and grandmother have fond memories from the services they both experienced at Connie Kelley’s salon.”