Friday Harbor Students Get $25K in Trade School Scholarships

On a small Washington island, one couple's generosity is proving that not all heroes wear capes—some just believe in the power of a good education.

Dave and Nancy Honeywell have partnered with the Friday Harbor Kiwanis Club for twelve years running, and their latest $25,000 grant will send local students to college or trade school in 2027. This isn't charity for show—it's a proven investment in young people that's already transformed 202 lives.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. Since this partnership began, the Honeywells have helped award $195,000 in scholarships to Friday Harbor graduates. This year alone, Kiwanis distributed 13 college scholarships and 6 trade school scholarships at graduation.

What makes this story especially bright is the growing focus on skilled trades. Half of all Kiwanis scholarships over the past three years went to trade school students, reflecting what the community actually needs.

The Ripple Effect

The real magic happens after graduation, when scholarship recipients start building careers that serve their community right back.

Jack Mason learned watch repair and now works for Rolex. Ryan Rothenberg earned his pilot's license and is training to fly commercial aircraft. Teagan August completed CDL training and drives for a local construction company.

Two recent graduates, Emillio Bayes and Eydan Cazarez, are finishing electrical lineman apprenticeships and will soon power homes across the region. These aren't just jobs—they're high-skill, high-demand careers that keep island life running smoothly.

Jack Rice, Kiwanis Scholarship Chairman, sees the bigger picture. "Dave and Nancy's commitment has opened doors for students of every path, academic or technical," he said. "Their support has changed lives, strengthened our workforce, and created opportunities that simply wouldn't exist otherwise."

The scholarship cycle for 2027 opens next spring, with awards handed out at June graduation. Kiwanis wants every senior to know they're welcome to apply, whether they're headed to university or learning a skilled trade.

In a world that often forgets small communities, the Honeywells remembered—and 202 young people are building better futures because of it.