Whatcom Women in Business Scholarships

 2026-2027 Scholarship Application
(3) $5,000 for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Eligibility & Application Process

Eligibility Criteria

  • High school graduate by 2026
  • Current Whatcom County resident or student
  • Identify as a woman

Application Instructions

  • Submit application by March 31
  • Attach cover letter addressing goals, interest, and financial need
  • Include recent transcript or acceptance documentation
  • Provide two recent letters of reference
  • Be available for in-person interviews on Saturday, April 25, 2026
  • Complete 10 volunteer hours by August 31 if selected 

Meet our 2025-2026 recipients! These women received a $5,000 scholarship thanks to your generosity.


We are thrilled to introduce the 2025-2026 Whatcom Women in Business Scholarship recipients: Trinity Longoria, Gabriela Llanos, and Sandhya Thapa!

These outstanding women have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities. We are honored to support their educational journeys and excited to see the impact they will continue to make.

Please join us in congratulating Trinity, Gabriela, and Sandhya on this well-deserved recognition!

Trinity Longoria

Trinity Longoria is currently attending Options High School and will be her class
representative when she graduates this June 2025. She is also a running start student
at Bellingham Technical College where she hopes to earn her associate’s degree in
radiologic technology. This summer Trinity plans to take a phlebotomy course to add to
her skills. Trinity’s goal is to someday work at Seattle Children’s Imaging Center in
Everett. In addition to her studies, Trinity works several hours a week at McDonald’s
and volunteers at the Bellingham Food Bank.

Gabriela Llanos

Gabriela Llanos graduated from Ferndale High School in 2014 and is currently
Attending Edmonds Community College to obtain her American Bar Association accredited
Advanced Paralegal Certificate. Her goal is to become a Certified Paralegal and
eventually serve as a supervisor at a Washington State immigration law firm. She
previously attended the University of British Columbia (UBC) where she graduated with
a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish. Gabriela currently works at
Whatcom Community College where she supports students in the English as a Second
Language program and the Adult Basic Education program. Gabriela speaks three
languages in addition to English: Spanish, Portuguese, and French. In her spare time,
she is a volunteer with National Alliance on Mental Illness Whatcom, a member of
Whatcom Young Professionals, and a mentor for the UBC Arts Co-op program.

Sandhya Thapa

Sandhya Thapa is currently attending Ferndale High School and will graduate in June
2025. In addition, she will also be completing her associate in arts and sciences DTA
degree at Whatcom Community College. She plans to attend the University of
Washington in the fall where she will major in Business and Marketing. Despite a heavy
academic load, Sandhya found time to participate in activities at both the high school
and the college. At Ferndale she helped create the Asia and Pacific Islander Club,
helped coordinate a Multicultural event, and was a member of the National Honor
Society. In college, she served as the secretary for the student volleyball club. In
addition, she regularly works at her family-owned business, volunteers at Peace Health
St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and volunteers at her church.

2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients

Lucia Greenberg

Greenberg_Lucia
  • Education
  • Northeastern University - Psychology and Neuroscience.
  • Goals - Become a childhood clinical psychologist.
  • Activities and Contributions
  • Activities: Team Captain of Softball, Marager for Boys Basketball, Crochet for Community Club
  • Volunteering: Domestic Violence and Social Assault Services, Animals as Natural Therapy, City of Bellingham Parks Department, Congregation Beth Israel
  • Work Experience: Camp Counselor for Bellingham Sportsplex

Arman Grewal

arman
  • Education
  • Graduated from Blaine High School in 2023, completed an Associate in Arts degree from Whatcom Community College in 2023, currently attending Western Washington University, studying Biochemistry, with plans to graduate in 2025.
  • Goals - Passionate about becoming a pharmacist, plans to attend Pharmacy School at the University of Washington after graduating from WWU.
  • Activities and Contributions
  • Activities: Participated in Tennis during high school, member of the National Honor Society, serves as a mentor for the younger generation.
  • Volunteering: Volunteered at the Blaine Food Bank during high school, currently volunteers at Gurdwara Dukh Navarin Sahib, serving meals to the congregation.
  • Work Experience: Currently works as a pharmacy assistant, gaining skills and experience to prepare for a career in pharmacy.

Adria Clines

WWiB Bio Photo_Adria Clines
  • Education
  • 2024 graduate of Sehome High School, plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she will study ASL-English Interpretation, French, and creative writing.
  • Goals - Plans to become a nationally certified interpreter and an author.
  • Activities and Contributions
  • Activities: Participated in Running Start and College in the High School for college credits, active in several high school activities and clubs including ASB (Director of Communications), Yearbook (Co-editor and Chief), French Club (co-President), ASL Club (co-President), and started the Sehome Poetry Club.
  • Volunteering: Regularly supports her younger sister in her extracurricular activities, often providing transportation before and after school.
  • Work Experience: Worked for the school district as a scorekeeper and referee.