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GAP YEAR Scholarship Awarded to Washington State High School Graduate
HONOLULU, HI – August 18, 2009 – Inspiration Publications, a small Hawaii based publishing house, announces the winner of their 2009 Gap Year Scholarship Program. William Doerrfeld, a 2009 graduate of Skyline High School in Issaquah, Washington was the grand prize winner of this year’s scholarship, winning nearly $1000 in cash and educational prizes.
William was chosen for his passion to participate in his gap year, and his over-the-top efforts to raise the money to make his gap year possible, earning over $20,000 in fundraising and scholarships. Bill will be traveling with the program Magic Carpet Rides to Guatemala this coming year.
Here’s what he said about his gap year: “My mission abroad is to gain new perspectives and insights on life. I believe that with this goal in mind, I will emerge with a clearer definition of my passions, and will apply them to my college selection and career path.”
The Gap Year Scholarship program is tied to the sales of a book launched in 2008 called Where’s the Map? Create Your OWN Guide to Life after Graduation by authors Beth and James Hood. Anyone between the ages of 18-25 can apply for a scholarship to fund their self-designed or structured gap year. The company plans to give away multiple $1000 scholarships next year, but was affected by the economic downturn this year, and could only award one scholarship. Applications for next year will be due by July 1st 2010.
Beth Hood said, “We encourage anyone at a crossroads in their lives, especially high school and college grads, to take the time necessary to make an informed decision about what is coming next. A gap year presents a great way to try out one’s options.”
In support of such opportunities, James Hood said, “It’s easy to find scholarships for college, but pretty rare to find someone who will give you money to participate in a gap year. We’d like to start a new trend.”
Runner’s up for this year’s Gap year scholarship, who were awarded post-gap year coaching and the authors’ “Mapping out Your Major” college planning package, are: 1) Kelly Bloomer (PA) who will be leaving high school one year early and traveling with Carpe Diem Education in India this fall, followed by a semester at American University of Paris; and 2) Sean Kuusinen, (CO) who has planned a diverse year of activities including a trip to Uganda and Rwanda, a Mountain Orientation Class, working as a ski coach, and apprenticing at an organic farm and Zen Center.
Other students who were acknowledged under Honorable Mention and awarded a “Mapping it Out” webclass are:
- Saanti Steyer who will be traveling with LEAPNOW to Guatemala, India, and Uganda.
- Thea Stevens who will be living in Japan for a year, immersed in the culture and language.
- Olivia Boucher who will be working with LEAPNOW in California and traveling to India.
- Abigail Bard who will be spending a year in Japan attending high school and living with a host family.
- Domonique Matlock who will be traveling abroad with LEAPNOW to India.
In addition to authors Beth and James Hood, Joanna Lazarek from the Center for Interim Programs and Drew Rabidoux from Launch Coaching were judges for our Gap Year Scholarship.
For further information about the Gap Year Scholarship Program please visit www.wheresthemap.com or call 808-430-3406. For more information about William's gap year, visit www.billgoestoguatemala.com.