The Sequim Pioneer Association will give two $1,000 scholarships to local students who are descendants of pioneers.

 

Hazel Ault, association treasurer, said in 2008 and 2009 the group gave $500 scholarships to one student per year; in 2010 they gave a $1,000 scholarship to one student. This year, thanks to the donations of association members, two graduating students will receive $1,000 scholarships.

 

The association hosts an annual dinner and auction each spring to honor the grand pioneers and honorary pioneers as well as help pioneer descendants receive a post-secondary education.

“It also makes the younger people aware of their roots,” said Glenda Clark, association board member and fourth-generation pioneer descendant.

 

Clark said more than 200 people attend the dinner each year, which is open to descendants of pioneer families or people who have lived in the Sequim School District for at least 40 years.

The dinner has a roll-call sheet with three two-column pages of pioneer family last names.

 

The association chooses the grand and honorary pioneers for the Sequim Irrigation Festival. This year Ronald Priest and Gloria Jean Hendrickson Gockerell were named grand pioneers. Morris Quinn and Anna Lee Hermann are the honorary pioneers.

 

Clark said the dinner is an important event to keep pioneer families connected.

“We hope that pioneer families will either come to the dinner or the picnic in August and make themselves known,” she said.

 

Businesses are invited to donate items for the auction, the proceeds of which support the grand and honorary pioneer activities as well as the student scholarships.

 

For more information or to purchase a ticket, phone Ault at 360-808-8641.