Prairie High School senior Ellie Durgarian recently received $6,500 in scholarships from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The Battle Ground branch of the club awarded Durgarian with a $1,500 scholarship in early April. Her application was then forwarded to the statewide club, who awarded Durgarian an additional $5,000 scholarship at the organization’s annual convention in Olympia on April 22.
Durgarian received the traditional scholarship and the Kathy Estep Memorial Scholarship for outstanding merit, according to a news release.
Durgarian has taken classes at Clark College while still in high school. She plans to attend Washington State University-Vancouver, followed by the University of Washington School of Medicine to study gastroenterology.
“Historically, the medical world has not treated women with the same respect as men, whether they are seeking treatment as patients or aspiring to become medical professionals,” Durgarian stated in her application.
To build her education fund, the senior has painted fences and houses. She’s also helped neighbors with yard work.
At Clark College, Durgarian tutors fellow students in biology and chemistry, the release stated. She recently earned a first-degree blackbelt and credits her self-discipline to her 11 years in a martial arts program.
The GFWC has supported education for women since its first gathering of clubs for women in 1890. The Battle Ground club recently celebrated 50 years of community service. They have awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships, stated the release. The group’s annual Ladybug Bazaar is the principal source of funding for many of their community service projects.
All senior girls in the greater Battle Ground area are eligible to apply. For more information, contact Leese Pohl at 360-666-7054 or visit the club’s website at gfwc-battlegroundwa.org.
