Scholarship Program
The Olympic Logging Conference Foundation, 501 (c) (3) 81-4466161, is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes including the making of distributions to persons seeking advanced education or organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS code.
Scholarship awards may be used for tuition, books and/or room and board for students attending any college, university or vocational/technical school. A minimum $500.00 shall be awarded annually and will be paid directly to the recipient's post-secondary institution.
A $1,500 Worley Technical Scholarship is being awarded to provide financial assistance and recognize the critical role of technical expertise in the forest industry. By investing in the education of promising individuals, the scholarship will foster the next generation of technical professionals who will contribute to the growth and success of the forest sector with real-world applications. This scholarship supports students who are working toward technical certification or completing programs outside the four-year college path, such as welding, trucking, machine operators mechanics, etc.
Criteria
OLYMPIC
- Current OLC member, child/grandchild of past OLC chair or child of current OLC member. Current OLC member is defined by paid registration membership within the past 5 years. First year attendees are not eligible.
- Pursuing post-secondary education.
- Annual application is required. Application must be complete with all supporting documents combined as a single PDF document and submitted electronically. Incomplete and/or do not qualify applicants, will be notified by April 15.
- Preference may be given to forestry related fields but not exclusively awarded to such candidates.
- Deadline: Applications must be emailed to [email protected] by April 1 to be considered for award distribution within the upcoming school year. Confirmation of receipt will be emailed.
EVERGREEN
- Current resident of Pacific NW – Washington, Oregon or Idaho. Applicant must be seeking education and/or training for timber industry related fields.
- Pursuing post-secondary education.
- Annual application is required. Application must be complete with all supporting documents combined as a single PDF document and submitted electronically. Incomplete and/or do not qualify applicants, will be notified by April 15.
- Deadline: Applications must be emailed to [email protected] by April 1 to be considered for award distribution within the upcoming school year. Confirmation of receipt will be emailed.
WORELY TECHNICAL
- Current resident of the Pacific NW — Washington, Oregon, Idaho or California. Western
- Pursuing a technical or vocational program or certificate.
- Application must be completed in full and supporting documents submitted with application.
- Annual application is required.
- Preference may be given to timber-related fields but not exclusively awarded to such candidates.
- Applications must be emailed to [email protected] by April 1 to be considered for award distribution within the upcoming school year. Confirmation of receipt will be emailed.
The Kevin Worley Memorial was established by Paige Pearson, Nick Worley, Colton Worley and family in memory of their father. We thank them for their generosity in providing funding for two scholarships.
Kevin Worley devoted his entire 38 year career to the timber industry. At the time of his passing, he was owner and president of Forks Fiber Management, Inc.
He was on the board of directors for the Olympic Logging Conference where he served as chairman of the 70th annual conference. He also served as past president of the Washington Trucking Association-Log Truckers Conference, where he was still a member. Kevin was also a long-time member of the Washington Contract Loggers Association.
His passion for the timber industry was exceeded only by his love and commitment to his family and friends. Games of cribbage with his buddies, family card games, golfing adventures, fishing expeditions, watching sporting events and family vacations were what he truly loved.
His children and family want to continue to honor his memory and his love for the timber industry by awarding the Kevin Worley Memorial Scholarship to two desevering students each year.
2024 Scholarships Recipients:
Kevin Worley Memorial Scholarship
Gage Romberg - $2000
- Graduating from Forks High School and Peninsula College with an AAS in June 2024
- Will use the scholarship to continue his welding degree at Peninsula College
- Enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors
- 4th generation forestry worker
Kevin Worley Technical Scholarship
Matthew Thomas - $2000
- Graduating from Etna High School in June 2024
- Will use the scholarship to attend Shasta College in the Heavy Equipment Operator program
- Enjoys mechanic work, outdoors and working in the woods with his dad
OLC Foundation Scholarships
Andrew Meyer - $1500
- Tumwater High School graduate 2022
- Grandson of Joe Staley – OLC Member
- Currently attending Centralia Community College, transferring to University of Montana Fall 2024.
- Career aspirations: Firefighter/EMT or Graphic Designer
- Participates in baseball and golf
Gage Romberg - $1500
- Graduating from Forks High School and Peninsula College with an AAS in June 2024
- Will use the scholarship to continue his welding degree at Peninsula College
- Enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors
- 4th generation forestry worker
Kaleb Mitchem - $1500
- Toutle Lake High School graduate - 2022
- Lower Columbia college to Washington State University
- President’s List both LCC and WSU
- 2025 graduation
- Son of Larry and Darcy Mitchem – OLC Members and Past Chairs
- Pursuing a degree in Economics Policy and Law
- Participated in Knowledge Bowl, Ecology Club, Hiking Club, Cross Country and basketball
EVERGREEN
John Nicholson - $1500
- Toutle Lake High School Graduate - 2022
- Currently enrolled at the University of Idaho expected graduation - 2025
- Majoring in Forestry with a minor in Marketing and Logging Operations
- Participates in FFA, SAF, and is interested in promoting forest legislation and policy