Wow!  The results are in for the winners of the 2026 7th District Benevolent Fund Scholarships are hereby announced.  I started with WOW because the essay this year was to write about the posed question as follows:  "If you could do one thing that would have a positive impact on America, what would it be and what would that positive impact be".  We received some awesome ideas, some that could be a foundation for a political campaign!  Some of them were to "require a federal balanced budget by the constitution", "to eliminate the two party system", "equitable distribution of America's wealth", "free college", "basic health care for all citizens for no costs", "laws that make Unions stronger", "responsible gun control", "stop the attacks on equality", "ensure children have safe homes", "invest in the trades" and "a national mentorship program for high school students to teach living skills".  It was a pleasure to see our future through the lens of these great individuals.

The winner of $1000 is Brackyn Ricks, daughter of Matt Ricks (L404 Walla Walla), $750 winners are James Singletary, son of Ryan Singletary (L1747) and Christian Blasick, son of Troy Balsick (L2856 Kootenai County).  Awarded $500 each are Logan Schmidt, son of Nate Schmidt (Local 8 Great Falls), Nathan Fields, son of Tom Fields (L1604 Bellevue), Alyssa Huntsman, daughter of Mike Huntsman (L3426 Blaine County), Natalie Boyle, daughter of Trevor Boyle (L726 Central Pierce), Allison Carr, daughter of Jason Carr (L1488 West Pierce), Breanna Goblick, daughter of Eric Goblick (L2916 Spokane #9), Addison Reese, daughter of Ryan Reese (L452 Vancouver), Jullian Dolph, daughter of Jason Dolph (L1264 Anchorage), Solyn Strout, son of Scott Wyatt (L1556 Twin Falls), Addison Marchant, daughter of Chris Marchant (L1264 Anchorage), Liam Rees, son of Rich Rees (L1747 Puget Sound), Aaron Black, son of Matthew Black (L726 Central Pierce), Elisabeth Farstead, daughter of Ryan Farstad (L31 Tacoma), Addison Simonds, daughter of Ryan Simonds (L864 Renton), Hudson Chambers, son of Beau Chambers (L1747 Puget Sound), Clay Stuart, son of Kenneth Stuart (L27 Seattle) and Carson Fields, son of Jared Fields (L2898 Seattle Chiefs).

Thanks to all that have bought some 7th District swag, attended an event that benefits this fund or bought a ticket to the bi-annual 7th District Gala as these are what funds this program.