May 21, 2026, Seward Folly

Seward High School graduated 43 seniors this week, making it the largest class in recent years. For comparison, last year’s graduating class had 37 students, there were 30 in 2024, and just 24 in 2023. Many of the graduates have deep roots in the community: a significant number are 12-year students, having attended Seward schools from kindergarten through senior year. Fourteen of these 12-year graduates have at least one parent who is an SHS alum.

This year’s class stands out not just because of its size, but for the remarkable academic achievements and scholarship support earned by its students.

“This year, we have a much larger number of recently graduated seniors receiving scholarships than usual,” said school counselor Doug Dye. “In my opinion, our community has become much more generous, and there are simply more scholarships available, some I hadn’t even heard of until now. We also have some stellar students who have been very proactive about pursuing opportunities, like the Alaska Performance Scholarship, which saw higher participation than in previous years. These hardworking and ambitious students are really showing what’s possible, and it’s reflected in the amount of scholarship support they’ve received.”

Dye added, “Some students are planning to attend schools all over the United States, even places like Stanford. Quite a few are choosing to stay in Alaska, while others are going out of state. I know one student is headed to BYU for a year before returning. They have some great opportunities ahead and I wish them well.”

The class received a total of $1,015,474 in scholarships, according to Seward High School Principal Dr. Burns. These scholarships were awarded by nearly fifty different agencies, with criteria set by the donors and most requiring an application, an essay, a statement of community involvement, financial need, and future goals.

At the annual awards ceremony on Wednesday evening, several scholarships of nearly $50,000 were announced. Three members of the Kawabe Memorial Fund visited Seward for the first time to present scholarships in person. Dale Kaku, a member of the fund, explained the background: “This year, we gave away $47,000. We have a committee that reviews all the applications, and we usually grant six or seven scholarships, sometimes awarding three or four thousand dollars each. This year, we were surprised by the grade point averages of all the applicants, so we decided to give out more scholarships. We’d like to do more for AVTEC as well, but this year, only one person applied. Typically, we distribute about $250,000 a year to various organizations, but this year we chose to put more money into scholarships. If more students apply in the future, we’ll likely increase that amount. For us, it feels more important to support these scholarships here than to direct funds elsewhere.”

“It’s wonderful work. I’m particularly glad to see the students who receive these scholarships. Usually, we just see their paperwork, but meeting them in person makes it much more meaningful. They’re an exceptional group who really contribute to the community.” Fourteen graduates received between $1,000 and $4,000 from the Kawabe fund.

Seward Graduates accept gift bags with their Kawabe scholarship award inside.

Somi Clendaniel accepts NHS award with Regan Seibert and Lola Swanson waiting their turn.

Twenty-two graduates earned the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), which is based on high school GPA or college entrance or career-readiness exam scores. Fifteen students qualified for the maximum of $7,000 per year, three for $5,250, and four for $3,500. APS recipients may receive the award for up to eight full-time semesters within eight years of graduation.

Additionally, the top 10% of the class were awarded the University of Alaska Scholars Award, which provides $15,000 over eight semesters to encourage students to remain in Alaska. According to Dye, graduates are allowed to use this award even after attending college outside the state for their first year.

The Seward High School class of 2026 stands out for its size, its community ties, and its academic achievement. This year, the hard work of the students and the generosity of Seward’s supporters paid off in a record amount of scholarship support.

Organization / Business	Recipients
Alaska Community Foundation	Madeleine Haas, Otto Nipp
Alaska Community Foundation Don Giles Award – Icicle Seafoods	Anthony Smith
American Legion (Post 5, Auxiliary Unit 5 & Sons)	Madeleine Haas, Isavel Siller, Otto Nipp, Sampson Antrim, Frank Antrim, Juniper Ingalls, Katie Norvell
ASLC Richard Hocking Memorial Scholarship	Madeleine Haas, Grace Schaefermeyer
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship	Somi Clendaniel
Dr. John Nels Anderson Scholarship	Somi Clendaniel
Essential One	Mikinley Williams
Exit Marine	Madeleine Haas
Jaffa Construction	Sampson Antrim, Frank Antrim
Jim Martin Memorial Scholarship	Mason Elhard
Kawabe Memorial Fund	Emily Anger, Lucy Bamford, Somi Clendaniel, Emerson Cross, Makena DesErmia, Jennifer Fernandez, Madeleine Haas, Olivia Jones, Juniper Ingalls, Otto Nipp, Kaden Smith, Lola Swanson, Mikinley Williams
Kenai Peninsula Administrator Association	Kaden Smith, Makena DesErmia
Kruzof Fisheries LLC & J&R Fisheries	Frank Antrim, Olivia Jones, Jennifer Fernandez
Mae Ciechanski Scholarship	Somi Clendaniel
Meggin Dunham Clancy	Sampson Antrim
Mel Beach Art	Grace Schaefermeyer
Moose Pass Sportsmen’s Club	Regan Seibert
P.E.O., Chapter R	Makena DesErmia, Jennifer Fernandez, Lola Swanson
Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance	Emily Anger, Grace Schaefermeyer
Seward Arts Council	Lola Swanson
Seward Athletic Boosters	Lola Swanson, Olin Liljemark, Mikinley Williams, Regan Seibert
Seward Insurance Agency	Mason Elhard
Seward Pioneers of Alaska	Isavel Siller, Jennifer Fernandez, Kate Norvell
Seward Police Association	Grace Schaefermeyer, Lucy Bamford
Seward Properties, LLC	Frank Antrim
Seward PTA	Lucy Bamford, Emily Anger, Makena DesErmia, Olivia Jones
Seward Rotary Club	Otto Nipp
Seward Volunteer Fire Department	Isavel Siller
Shoreside	Lola Swanson, Sampson Antrim
Spirit of Youth from State of Alaska	Lola Swanson, Makena DesErmia
Subway	Mikinley Williams, Lucy Bamford, Makena DesErmia, Olivia Jones, Emerson Cross, Isavel Siller, Regan Seibert, Somi Clendaniel, Mason Elhard, Alejandro Sanchez
Sweet Darlings	Kaden Smith
Swetmann Scholarship (Friends of the Seward Library)	Otto Nipp, Juniper Ingalls
Ukanuzit	Otto Nipp