2020 MTA Scholarship Recipients
Each year the MTA Foundation provides scholarships to Alaskan students who shine in our community. We are proud to present the 2020 scholarship recipients.
2020 Scholarship Program
Recipients
Pierce Brooks
Recipient
Continuing Education
Already an advocate for victims of sexual assault in Alaska, Pierce aspires to use his legal education to become a defense attorney and help victims confront their trauma through the legal process.
Alexander Reber
Recipient
Continuing Education
With over 1,000 hours of volunteer service already under his belt and awards for his service, Alex’s goal to continue his education here in Alaska will allow him to continue to serve the community he loves.
Eva Severance
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Eva is pursuing a Biology degree, followed by a Physician’s Assistant program while serving in the National Guard so she can return to the Mat-Su valley and serve the community in the medical field.
Lucas Graupmann
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Lucas will be attending Williams College in Massachusetts and will study how communities have implemented technology and policy to adapt to a modern world while maintaining the culture that makes them unique.
Emerson Moser
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Emerson is pursuing an education in engineering and political science with goals of working for a space industry company abroad before bringing his skills and perspective back to Alaska.
Victoria Nelson
Recipient
Continuing Education
Victoria’s education goals will allow her to facilitate and participate in hazard analysis to minimize the impact of future geological hazards in Alaska, like the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2019.
Gavin Block
Recipient
Graduating Senior
A 2020 US Presidential Scholar, Gavin will earn an Aerospace Engineering degree so he can innovate the aerospace industry and Alaska’s role in its next chapter.
Kaitlyn Bacelona
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
While attending Baylor University, Kaitlyn will be keeping touch with the Mat-Su community by creating a short film series documenting the recovery and growth of small businesses in the valley after COVID-19.
Ella Smith
Recipient
Continuing Education
After completing her teaching degree, Ella plans to inspire the next generation of Alaskan students and continue volunteering with Young Lives, a program that encourages Mat-Su teen parents.
Dylan Duffield
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Dylan’s goal of becoming a Flight Instructor will allow him to train the next generation of Alaskan pilots, who will be part of the supply chain that rural communities throughout the state rely on.
Judson Scott
Recipient
Trade & Tech
As a 21-year resident of the Mat-Su Valley, Judson plans to continue his education and obtain an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certification to alleviate the shortage of aviation mechanics in the valley.
Chelsea Spaulding
Recipient
Continuing Education
With goals of becoming a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant, Chelsea wants to assist Alaskan companies with financial analysis, planning, and decision making.
Bailey Ditmer
Recipient
Trade & Tech
Upon becoming a licensed Massage Therapist, Bailey will be providing health benefits for the residents of the Mat-Su community including relieving pain and discomfort.
Brooklyn Kopsack
Recipient
Graduating Senior
An aspiring physical therapist, Brooklyn plans to use her education in sports medicine to help Alaskan athletes reach their full potential and continue the activities they love.
Lily Sessom
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Lily plans to use her education to become an advocate for Alaskans to think honestly and creatively about their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Chloe Hartman
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Chloe intends to utilize her education to open a pediatric practice in Alaska that also creates a better environment of learning for our state’s homeless and underprivileged youth.
Pierce Brooks
Recipient
Continuing Education
Already an advocate for victims of sexual assault in Alaska, Pierce aspires to use his legal education to become a defense attorney and help victims confront their trauma through the legal process.
Alexander Reber
Recipient
Continuing Education
With over 1,000 hours of volunteer service already under his belt and awards for his service, Alex’s goal to continue his education here in Alaska will allow him to continue to serve the community he loves.
Eva Severance
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Eva is pursuing a Biology degree, followed by a Physician’s Assistant program while serving in the National Guard so she can return to the Mat-Su valley and serve the community in the medical field.
Lucas Graupmann
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Lucas will be attending Williams College in Massachusetts and will study how communities have implemented technology and policy to adapt to a modern world while maintaining the culture that makes them unique.
Emerson Moser
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Emerson is pursuing an education in engineering and political science with goals of working for a space industry company abroad before bringing his skills and perspective back to Alaska.
Victoria Nelson
Recipient
Continuing Education
Victoria’s education goals will allow her to facilitate and participate in hazard analysis to minimize the impact of future geological hazards in Alaska, like the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2019.
Gavin Block
Recipient
Graduating Senior
A 2020 US Presidential Scholar, Gavin will earn an Aerospace Engineering degree so he can innovate the aerospace industry and Alaska’s role in its next chapter.
Kaitlyn Bacelona
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
While attending Baylor University, Kaitlyn will be keeping touch with the Mat-Su community by creating a short film series documenting the recovery and growth of small businesses in the valley after COVID-19.
Ella Smith
Recipient
Continuing Education
After completing her teaching degree, Ella plans to inspire the next generation of Alaskan students and continue volunteering with Young Lives, a program that encourages Mat-Su teen parents.
Dylan Duffield
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Dylan’s goal of becoming a Flight Instructor will allow him to train the next generation of Alaskan pilots, who will be part of the supply chain that rural communities throughout the state rely on.
Judson Scott
Recipient
Trade & Tech
As a 21-year resident of the Mat-Su Valley, Judson plans to continue his education and obtain an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certification to alleviate the shortage of aviation mechanics in the valley.
Chelsea Spaulding
Recipient
Continuing Education
With goals of becoming a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant, Chelsea wants to assist Alaskan companies with financial analysis, planning, and decision making.
Bailey Ditmer
Recipient
Trade & Tech
Upon becoming a licensed Massage Therapist, Bailey will be providing health benefits for the residents of the Mat-Su community including relieving pain and discomfort.
Brooklyn Kopsack
Recipient
Graduating Senior
An aspiring physical therapist, Brooklyn plans to use her education in sports medicine to help Alaskan athletes reach their full potential and continue the activities they love.
Lily Sessom
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Lily plans to use her education to become an advocate for Alaskans to think honestly and creatively about their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Chloe Hartman
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Chloe intends to utilize her education to open a pediatric practice in Alaska that also creates a better environment of learning for our state’s homeless and underprivileged youth.
Pierce Brooks
Recipient
Continuing Education
Already an advocate for victims of sexual assault in Alaska, Pierce aspires to use his legal education to become a defense attorney and help victims confront their trauma through the legal process.
Alexander Reber
Recipient
Continuing Education
With over 1,000 hours of volunteer service already under his belt and awards for his service, Alex’s goal to continue his education here in Alaska will allow him to continue to serve the community he loves.
Eva Severance
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Eva is pursuing a Biology degree, followed by a Physician’s Assistant program while serving in the National Guard so she can return to the Mat-Su valley and serve the community in the medical field.
Lucas Graupmann
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Lucas will be attending Williams College in Massachusetts and will study how communities have implemented technology and policy to adapt to a modern world while maintaining the culture that makes them unique.
Emerson Moser
Recipient
Graduating Senior
Emerson is pursuing an education in engineering and political science with goals of working for a space industry company abroad before bringing his skills and perspective back to Alaska.
Victoria Nelson
Recipient
Continuing Education
Victoria’s education goals will allow her to facilitate and participate in hazard analysis to minimize the impact of future geological hazards in Alaska, like the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2019.
Gavin Block
Recipient
Graduating Senior
A 2020 US Presidential Scholar, Gavin will earn an Aerospace Engineering degree so he can innovate the aerospace industry and Alaska’s role in its next chapter.
Kaitlyn Bacelona
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
While attending Baylor University, Kaitlyn will be keeping touch with the Mat-Su community by creating a short film series documenting the recovery and growth of small businesses in the valley after COVID-19.
Ella Smith
Recipient
Continuing Education
After completing her teaching degree, Ella plans to inspire the next generation of Alaskan students and continue volunteering with Young Lives, a program that encourages Mat-Su teen parents.
Dylan Duffield
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Dylan’s goal of becoming a Flight Instructor will allow him to train the next generation of Alaskan pilots, who will be part of the supply chain that rural communities throughout the state rely on.
Judson Scott
Recipient
Trade & Tech
As a 21-year resident of the Mat-Su Valley, Judson plans to continue his education and obtain an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certification to alleviate the shortage of aviation mechanics in the valley.
Chelsea Spaulding
Recipient
Continuing Education
With goals of becoming a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant, Chelsea wants to assist Alaskan companies with financial analysis, planning, and decision making.
Bailey Ditmer
Recipient
Trade & Tech
Upon becoming a licensed Massage Therapist, Bailey will be providing health benefits for the residents of the Mat-Su community including relieving pain and discomfort.
Brooklyn Kopsack
Recipient
Graduating Senior
An aspiring physical therapist, Brooklyn plans to use her education in sports medicine to help Alaskan athletes reach their full potential and continue the activities they love.
Lily Sessom
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Lily plans to use her education to become an advocate for Alaskans to think honestly and creatively about their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Chloe Hartman
Recipient
Earl Lackey Award
Chloe intends to utilize her education to open a pediatric practice in Alaska that also creates a better environment of learning for our state’s homeless and underprivileged youth.
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