Salem, OR — Each of them has different educational goals, career plans, and dreams. All of them have endured the personal and financial hardships that result when a parent or spouse is lost to a workplace death or permanently disabled while on the job.
Seven Oregon high school graduates are recipients of the 2021 Workers’ Memorial Scholarship awards, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) announced. The awards program helps finance higher education for family members of Oregon workers who have been fatally injured or permanently disabled on the job.
“In the face of serious challenges, these students have shown a lot of heart and a lot of grit in staying focused on their educational pursuits,” said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. “These awards represent an opportunity for us to help them as they continue moving forward on their respective paths.”
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Workers’ Memorial Scholarship is open to any high school graduate, graduating high school senior, GED recipient, or current college undergraduate or graduate student who is a dependent or spouse of an Oregon worker who has been fatally injured or permanently disabled while on the job.
This year’s recipients are:
Salma Anguiano, Hermiston
Anguiano is a 2018 graduate of Hermiston High School. She is studying American government and politics, and Chinese language and literature at Whitman College.
Anguiano said she wants to “use my experience and background to influence equitable public policy that benefits individuals who come from marginalized backgrounds.”
A vehicle accident left her stepfather, who worked at a dairy farm, a quadriplegic. Anguiano is receiving a $4,000 award.
Katy Molloy, Junction City
Molloy is a graduate of Junction City High School who holds degrees in accounting and criminal justice from Portland State University and Linn-Benton Community College, respectively. Currently, she is pursuing a law degree at the University of Oregon.
She said she hopes to become a prosecutor after completing her law degree. “I would like to ensure that justice is applied equally to everyone, no matter what their personal circumstances may be.”
Molloy’s husband, a truck driver, died in an equipment accident in 2016. She is receiving a $3,000 award.
McKenzie Dodge, Mill City
A graduate of Santiam High School, Dodge will be a sophomore this fall studying nursing at Linfield University. Her degree plans include registered nursing and pediatric nursing.
Dodge is inspired to go into the pediatric nursing field “mostly because of my love for working with younger kids. I hope to be able to help children any way that I can and keep them happy and healthy.”
Dodge’s father, a millwright, died in a lumber mill accident in 2014. She is receiving a $4,000 award.
Ginger Ewing, Bandon
Ewing, a graduate of Bandon High School, will be a junior at Linfield University this fall. She is pursuing coursework with the goal of becoming a registered nurse.
“For a great part of my life, I have wanted to help people, even in the smallest way. I have come to find that throughout the experiences I have lived through and what life has presented me with, I want to help people in the medical field,” Ewing said.
Ewing’s father, a cattle ranch worker, was fatally kicked in the head by a horse. She is receiving a $3,000 award.
Alexis Grizzell, Beaverton
Grizzell, a graduate of Alpha Omega Academy in Rock Rapids, Iowa, is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in graphic design at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla.
When she looks ahead to a potential career, Grizzell sees herself as a freelance photographer who incorporates her graphic design skills into her work.
“When it comes to my career, I see myself becoming a boss, a woman who is empowering not only herself with that everyday self-journey, but also others around her so they are realizing their own powers they have,” she said.
Grizzell’s father, a satellite technician, died from a fall injury in 2009. She is receiving a $4,000 award.
Isaac Milner, Silverton
Milner is a graduate of Silverton High School. He will be a freshman this fall at Linfield University.
Milner will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in business, sales, distribution, and marketing, with a second major in Spanish language and literature.
Milner’s stepfather died in a car accident while traveling for work. He is receiving a $4,000 award.
Kira Feldman, Salem
Feldman is a graduate of Summit Learning Charter and will be a freshman this fall at the University of Oregon.
“Psychology is what I am truly passionate about. I’ve spent my whole life knowing I want to spend my life helping other people and I believe this field is incredibly important and affects everyone,” Feldman said.
Feldman’s plan is to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Oregon and continue on with her graduate work to achieve her Ph.D. or Psy.D. Feldman’s father died in a work accident when she was 7 years old. Feldman is receiving a $4,000 award.
Award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, an advisory group with members from business, organized labor, and government. Oregon OSHA presents the awards annually to help in the postsecondary education of spouses or children of permanently and totally disabled or fatally injured workers.
The 1991 Legislature established the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship at the request of the Oregon AFL-CIO, with support from Associated Oregon Industries.