2026 June Nelson Scholarship Winners!

AASB is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 June Nelson Memorial Scholarship! Named in honor of long-time Kotzebue school board member and education advocate, the June Nelson Memorial Scholarship is an annual AASB tradition.

Each year, association members, students, and district superintendents gather to raise money to award to Alaskan students to support their post-high school education pursuits. This year’s successful fundraising efforts have allowed AASB to award fifteen $1,500 scholarships, which may be applied toward the student’s choice of a business, trade, or college institution.

Of this year’s applicants, thirteen graduating Alaska high school seniors and two college freshmen were selected to receive June Nelson scholarships.

Our 2026 winners and their winning essays!

This year’s essay prompts:

Graduating High School Seniors: “Who or what in your educational or life experience has influenced your direction in life?”

Returning 2025 Winners: Write a letter to your younger self, sharing advice and lessons you’ve learned – academically, socially, and personally. What do you wish you knew then, and how would you encourage yourself for the years ahead?

Marcus Henry

Northwest Arctic

Essay

Princess Jasmine Tanner

Anchorage

Essay

Shania Weathers

Kenai

Essay

Natalee Bertagnoli

Petersburg

Essay

Tania Boonstra

Kenai

Essay

Bailey Garrett

Kenai

Essay

Justine Erickson-Bradney

LKSD

Essay

Isabel Brown

Anchorage

Essay

Misty Marine

Aleutians East

Essay

Makena DesErmia

Kenai

Essay

Monica Bryan

Copper River

Essay

Jack Witten

Kenai

Essay

Peter Calugan

Aleutians East

Essay

Maggie Cothran

Anchorage

2nd Year Recipient

Essay

Talia Schlosser Aparezuk

Juneau

2nd Year Recipient

Essay