Washington High School students and staff received more than \$41,000 in scholarships and awards from the WHS Alumni Foundation for the 2024-2025 school year. This support came from generous alumni donors and sponsor families, enabling the foundation to fund student scholarships, teacher grants, and classroom resources.
Steve Giudici, class of 1976 and foundation president, called this the foundation’s most successful year in giving. “These gifts benefited teachers, students, and student-athletes,” he said.
At the start of the school year, the foundation attended the back-to-school teacher meeting and held a drawing for 15 gift cards worth \$100 each. Teachers used the cards to buy items for their classes, such as chocolate for cooking, clay for art projects, and Spanish dictionaries.
Natural science teacher Megan Thaler requested new microscopes to replace the outdated ones from the 1970s. The foundation granted funds to buy some microscopes in the fall. After partnering with the community, including the Fremont Elks Lodge, they provided a second grant to complete the purchase of all needed microscopes.
Giudici praised the community’s help, saying, “Replacing over 50-year-old microscopes will benefit every student at Washington High.”
A large donation for sports programs was split between after-school sports and the physical education department. New weight room equipment was bought in sizes for both men and women. The foundation also purchased lacrosse sticks, volleyballs, golf bags with the school logo, and football safety gear.
Another donation, given in memory of a late alumna, helped supply the student mental health center.
At senior awards night, the foundation granted 19 scholarships ranging from \$500 to \$2,000, totaling \$18,000. They also gave three \$500 awards to this year’s Husky Award winners. Some scholarships are selected by sponsor families, while others are chosen by the foundation board.
