Jim Seeley Scholarship

I’ve always felt connected to people who are less fortunate. In the essay I submitted for the Jim Seeley scholarship, I wrote about a decommissioned bus I helped reconfigure with my robotics team. We worked alongside the welding club, the woodworking club and other clubs at BHHS, and we reconfigured this bus to become a diner on wheels. The bus went to four different spots where they would feed anyone under 18 for free and anyone over 18 for a really small price. I’ve always wanted to help out the less fortunate; I’m hoping to continue that and be able to help inspire people from impoverished households like mine.

Maya graduated as salutatorian from Bandon High School and plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall to study Environmental Science. Maya’s many hours of beach cleanups sparked her desire to pursue a degree in this field. She feels motivated to begin the process and excited for how much she can help the Earth and all of its inhabitants in the future.

Kacen graduated valedictorian from Gold Beach High School and plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall to study Biomedical Sciences and begin his journey to becoming a surgeon. He feels ready for the challenge and is motivated to achieve this goal. Kacen is excited to give back to others and be a source of hope and healing.

Alexa Crum was 2024 Bandon High School valedictorians and the 2024 recipients of the Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship covers all expenses and is renewable through 4 years of undergraduate studies. Her family was overjoyed when receiving the news. Alexa plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall to study Psychology and become a practicing clinical psychologist. She feels energized to begin the process and excited for how much she can help others in the future. Alexa enjoys spending time with her family, playing music and working at the video store.

Sean Ells was 2024 Bandon High School valedictorians and were the 2024 recipients of the Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship covers all expenses and is renewable through 4 years of undergraduate studies. His family was overjoyed when receiving the news. Sean plans to attend University of Oregon in the fall to study biology and health sciences, to begin his journey to becoming a dentist. He feels ready for the challenge and is motivated to achieve this goal. Sean enjoys spending time with his family and friends and taking part in a variety of outdoor activities.

“I did not know I was even in the running for this scholarship! My principal set up a Zoom meeting with me and my parents and told me that I had gotten it. To hear that you’re getting a scholarship of that magnitude is — you know, it’s life-changing. And as far as education goes, it really gives you an opportunity to just set yourself up for success.”

—Layne Converse, Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship recipient

“I was definitely gonna go to college no matter what, whether that meant taking out loans or not. But getting the Seeley scholarship has seriously helped me with that; I haven’t had to take out any loans, so I’ve been very fortunate. I do still work part time, but the amount of workload it’s taken off of me has been amazing.”

—Naomi Martin, Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship recipient