In early June, the Hillsboro Community Foundation (HCF) announced recipients of its 2026 scholarship cycle, awarding $120,000 in scholarships to 38 local students continuing their education. The Hillsboro Community Foundation oversees 11 funds that award scholarships. These scholarships were established by local families, individuals, and organizations who strongly believe in the power of education and the importance of supporting the next generation.
“The scholarships we award to our local students today are an investment in the future of Hillsboro,” says Armando Jimenez, President of the Hillsboro Community Foundation Board of Directors and Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “This year we saw a truly talented pool of scholarship applicants and these students will go on to make our community better and more vibrant as they pursue their dreams and use their talents to make a positive impact.”
This year’s scholarship recipients include:
Bernie Kuehn Scholarship for Music Education
- Leo Trajano, Glencoe High School ‘26, attending The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto
Black Advisory Business Council Scholarship
- Joe Wamunyu, Liberty High School ‘26, attending Western Oregon University
- Tayn Oladeinde, Century High School ‘26, attending the University of Michigan
Jimmie Darr Scholarship
- Adler “AJ” Schmidt, Glencoe High School ‘26, attending Oregon State University
- Benito Flores, Hillsboro High School ‘26, attending Portland Community College
- Emma Cyr, Century High School ‘26, attending Oregon State University
- Evelyn Cisneros, Liberty High School ‘26, attending Portland Community College
- Jillian Retzlaff, Glencoe High School ‘26, attending Pacific Lutheran University
- Joe Wamunyu, Liberty High School ‘26, attending Western Oregon University
- Karen Fernandez Fernandez, Century High School ’25, attending the University of Oregon
- Karen Munoz Aguilar, Hillsboro High School ‘26, attending Pacific University
Gordon Faber Scholarship
- Christina Boun, Century High School ’26, attending Oregon State University
Robert & Brenda Herb Family Scholarship
- Trent Staich, Hillsboro High School ‘26, attending Oregon State University
Hillsboro Hops Dream Big Scholarship
- Alexa Lopez, University of Portland
- Brianna Quiroz Alvarez, University of Oregon
- Christina Boun, Oregon State University
- Evan Stein, Oregon State University
- Iara Hernandez Fajardo, University of Portland
- Joaquin Vargas, University of Portland
- Leonardo Chirinos, Mt. Hood Community College
- Mimi Bui, Oregon State University
- Noah Cuenca, University of Portland
- Raymond Baurer, Pacific University
- Shana Bulahao, Oregon State University
- Tomas Ignacio Rojas Martinez, Portland Community College
Hillsboro Hops Ralph Helzerman Community Champion Scholarship
- Ashley-Clare Sarafa, Liberty High School ‘26, attending George Washington University
LaGood Family Scholarship
- Nolyn Leighty, Century High School ‘26, attending Portland Community College
- Trevor Beckenhauer, Glencoe High School ‘26, attending Brigham Young University – Idaho
- Axel Asanza Sánchez, Glencoe High School ‘25, attending his second year at Portland Community College
Latino Business Advisory Council Scholarship
- Jessy Alonso Garcia, Liberty High School ‘26, attending the University of Oregon
- Karen Fernandez Fernandez, Century High School ‘26, attending the University of Oregon
Pacific Landscape Management Scholarship
- Duize Marin Villaverde, International School of Beaverton ‘26, attending Oregon State University
- Violeta Peña Andrade, incoming Junior at the University of Washington
- Marissa Mandujano, incoming Senior at the College of William and Mary
- Emily Aguilar Santiago, incoming Sophomore at Portland State University
- Brianna Tello Velasco, incoming Junior at George Fox University
Richard B. Siegel Creative Futures Scholarship
- Avery Krasnoff, Glencoe High School ‘26, attending Pacific Lutheran University
- Eva Thomas, Hillsboro High School ‘26, attending California State University – Fullerton
- Megan Stirling, Glencoe High School ’26, attending Pacific University
- Victoria Haraden, Liberty High School ‘26, attending Pacific University
The Timothy J. Varela Memorial Manufacturing Scholarship
- Maya Hernandez-Olea, Westview High School ‘26, attending Oregon State University
From manufacturing specific to community service and leadership-focused, each scholarship represents a different background that honors the unique and diverse group of students in our community. The scholarships awarded this year not only celebrate the promise of these students but demonstrate the generosity that defines the Hillsboro community. With $120,000 awarded this year, the Hillsboro Community Foundation remains dedicated to strengthening the social, cultural, educational, and civic fabric of this place we call home.
About the Hillsboro Community Foundation
In existence since 1986, the Hillsboro Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Hillsboro by supporting local programs, services, and initiatives. Through community giving, grantmaking, and donor partnerships, the Foundation strengthens the social, cultural, educational, and civic fabric of the region.
To learn more about the Hillsboro Community Foundation, visit hcf-or.org.
To learn more about the scholarships that HCF manages, visit hcf-or.org/scholarships.
