Holden William Bettis Memorial Scholarship

I was born and raised on the Lower Kenai Peninsula, where spruce forests meet winding rivers and winter nights stretch into the late morning. Moose walk through my yard, sandhill cranes return every spring, and snowmachine trails run for miles across landscapes most people never see. Growing up here shaped me in ways that go far beyond scenery. Alaska taught me resilience, independence, and the value of community—and those lessons are what guide my career goals today. From the time I could run, I was always chasing something: a ball, a puck, the salmon runs, or the last minutes of daylight. Sports became the way I understood the world. Hockey on frozen lakes, wrestling in cramped gyms, football in harsh weather, basketball in remote villages, and baseball on snowy fields taught me discipline, grit, and teamwork. Traveling for games meant crossing mountains, boarding ferries, or waiting on frozen runways. These experiences didn’t just show me Alaska—they taught me how to handle adversity, care for a team, and to lead. Growing up here also means being connected to the community in a hands-on way. Volunteering at our local community center from the time I was eight shaped my understanding of what it means to contribute. I’d bike or walk there after school and do whatever job was needed: laying weed mats for the garden, setting irrigation lines, hauling donations for the outreach center. I learned that leadership isn’t about telling others what to do—it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder and doing the work with them. One of my proudest moments came when our football team brought home the 2024 state championship. That victory wasn’t just a trophy; it was proof of what a group of kids from a small town can accomplish when they work relentlessly for each other. We carried the pride of an entire community, and I still carry that with me today. These experiences have guided my choice of career path. I plan on becoming an academic athlete and plan to pursue finance, aviation, and business management. This will allow me to combine the problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience I’ve built with a future that serves others. I’m passionate about this path because it feels like a natural extension of what Alaska has taught me: to be resourceful, to work with purpose, and to contribute to something larger than myself. Throughout high school, I’ve learned to live by the motto: “Seek depth, not just distance.” This became important during a time when I was stretched too thin with classes, sports, volunteering, and work. I realized that moving fast wasn’t the same as truly learning or growing. So I chose to focus deeply on what mattered most—asking better questions in class, committing fully to the sports that shaped me, and building real relationships instead of collecting acquaintances. I don’t want to go through college or trade school just checking off requirements; I want to engage deeply, understand fully, and develop skills that will make a difference. Paying it forward is central to why I’m pursuing this path. Holden William Bettis is remembered for his ambition, heart, and commitment to others, and I want my life to reflect those same values. My goal is to return to Alaska—either full-time or seasonally—and use my skills to support rural communities like the one that raised me. In the end, my identity is inseparable from Alaska—its people, its challenges, and its beauty. This isn’t just where I come from; it’s who I am. And it’s why I’m committed to a future built on hard work, meaningful purpose, and giving back to the community that shaped me

Growing up in Alaska, I’ve been shaped by a community where people rely on one another and where hard work and perseverance are part of everyday life. In a place where opportunities can sometimes feel limited, I’ve learned to value determination, responsibility, and giving back. These values have guided both who I am and the career path I’ve chosen. I plan to pursue a career in accounting while also becoming a hockey coach. At first, these two paths may seem unrelated, but to me they are deeply connected. Accounting represents stability, problem-solving, and the ability to help individuals and organizations make informed decisions. Hockey represents leadership, mentorship, and community. Together, they reflect both my practical goals and my passion for making a difference in people’s lives. My interest in accounting comes from my appreciation for structure and responsibility. I enjoy working with numbers, analyzing information, and finding solutions to complex problems. Accounting is essential in every field, and I am drawn to the idea of helping businesses, families, and organizations manage their finances responsibly. In Alaska, where many small businesses and local operations are the backbone of communities, accountants play a critical role. I want to be someone people can trust and someone who helps others build financial stability and long-term success. At the same time, hockey has been one of the most important influences in my life. It has taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. More importantly, it has shown me the impact a coach can have. A good coach doesn’t just teach skills; they build confidence, character, and a sense of belonging. That is the kind of influence I want to have on others. As a future hockey coach, I want to create an environment where young athletes feel supported and motivated to grow, both on and off the ice. In Alaska, sports can provide structure, purpose, and community especially during long winters. I want to give kids a positive outlet and help them develop life skills that go far beyond the game. My passion for these paths comes from a desire to balance personal success with meaningful impact. Through accounting, I will be able to provide stability for myself while helping others navigate important financial decisions. Through coaching, I will be able to directly invest in the next generation, encouraging them to work hard, stay disciplined, and believe in themselves. Paying it forward will always be a priority for me. I plan to offer financial guidance to small businesses and individuals in my community, especially those who may not have easy access to these resources. As a coach, I will mentor young athletes and strive to be the kind of role model who makes a lasting difference. I want to help others see their potential, just as others have helped me see mine. Holden William Bettis’s legacy of selflessness and service is something I deeply respect. I hope to carry that same spirit into my future by using both my career and my passion for hockey to support and uplift others. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to giving back, I am determined to make a positive impact in my community.

From a young age, I’ve been deeply sensitive to the struggles of children who grow up without stability, safety, or the unconditional support every child deserves. As I got older and learned more about the challenges faced by kids in foster care and families headed by single mothers, I realized that I wanted to dedicate my life to making a difference in their lives. That’s what led me to pursue a career in family law—not just as a profession, but as a purpose. Family law isn't just about legal paperwork, custody battles, or court hearings—it's about people. It’s about protecting the vulnerable, advocating for justice, and helping rebuild lives when families are fractured or at risk. I am especially drawn to cases involving foster care and single-parent households because these situations are often overlooked or mishandled in the legal system. Children end up feeling lost, unheard, and powerless. I want to be the person who stands beside them, who listens, who fights for what’s right—even when it’s difficult. The foster care system, in particular, is full of good intentions but too often falls short in execution. Many children cycle through homes without ever finding stability or the love they need to grow into healthy adults. They may feel invisible, confused, or angry—not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because the system failed to protect them. As a family lawyer, I want to be a steady advocate for these kids. I want to ensure they have someone who sees them as individuals, not just another case number. I’m also passionate about helping single mothers—women who, in many cases, are doing everything in their power to give their children a good life, often while facing judgment, financial strain, and limited legal support. Too many of these mothers are overwhelmed, misunderstood, and underserved. I’ve seen how the legal system can intimidate or dismiss them. I want to be the kind of lawyer who helps them understand their rights, navigate the system confidently, and come out stronger on the other side. My passion for family law is rooted in empathy, but it’s driven by a desire for tangible change. I’ve volunteered with children’s organizations, participated in mentorship programs, and sought out opportunities to learn about the real-life impact of legal decisions on families. These experiences have only strengthened my belief that the law can be a tool for healing and empowerment—when it’s wielded by someone who cares deeply about the people behind the cases. Becoming a family lawyer isn’t just my career goal—it’s my mission. I want to be a source of hope and clarity for kids in foster care, a fierce ally for single moms fighting for a better life, and a compassionate advocate who helps families find stability when everything around them feels uncertain. In a world where so many people go unheard, I want to make sure they are not only heard—but truly seen, understood, and protected.

Our past is the foundation of our future. Even when our history is hidden or untold, it wants to break free and remind us of who we are and where we came from. My name is Chloe McKay, and I was raised in a true Alaskan household with roots in the Scottish highlands. I held up my first catch when I was 4, and helped pack my first moose out of the mountains when I was 11. My dad, uncles, and grandpa all have flaming red hair and beards, built for the cold, and my sisters are gorgeous green-eyed beauties. I am an Alaskan and a McKay, through and through. Before my name was Chloe McKay, though, I was Chloe Hernandez. I was the adopted first daughter of my father, who took me in when he was 23 and single. We've always had a special connection, and I think he knew that from the moment he heard that I needed a home. Though we didn't have much money, we had the relationship and family that I was nearly unknowingly denied. I was never told I was adopted, but the past comes back to haunt us. It haunted me in the way my little sisters shared my dad's green eyes and freckles, my brown skin that "took after my well-tanned aunt," and the harmless jokes between sisters about how I look so much different than them. A slow, hidden trickle of doubt grew in me, building on a fact I already knew deep inside. My dad told me one week after my 16th birthday. "The McKays never lie to each other," he said, "but I haven't told you the whole truth for a long time." The mixed emotions that followed were a devastating mix of betrayal and confusion. But most of all, I felt a deep feeling of rightness. Ultimately, it never mattered that I wasn't Scottish by blood; he was still my dad, I still had two little sisters, and I still belonged to a family with an overflowing love for one another. I left that conversation with a new knowledge of my Hispanic (Puerto Rican) identity and the curious mind of someone with a new outlook on what culture and community mean. History always wants to be told, and I realized that as I thought back to my 4th grade project on the Mayan empire or my self-led Spanish lessons in middle school. Soon after that conversation, I started my first year in the Middle College program, where I studied at UAA as a high schooler with full funding from the school district. I dove into new classes in history, international studies, Spanish, and everything in the library I could get my hands on to catch up on the 16 years I thought I lost. Now, I'm 18 years old. I'm closer than ever with my little sisters, who also know and had a million jokes to make once the dust settled. My dad and I have bonded in new ways over how I came to be in his life, and learning about my past alongside me. I earned my associate's degree through Middle College, and I'm continuing my bachelor's at UAA in history and Spanish studies. I want to continue to embrace the history I didn't know about and become a teacher to educate the world about the people who came before us. No matter the decade or side of the world, families will always find their way to each other. And no matter how long it's hidden, our history will always come to light.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.