Meet our 2026 Scholarship Recipients!

Created to extend our continuum of care, Eluna scholarships support the higher education goals of our community, with opportunities for support recipients of each program: Camp Erin, Camp Mariposa, Team Jesse, and the Eluna Resource Center’s personalized support services.

Kayla C. | 2026 Joshua William Beam Scholarship Awardee

Kayla attended Camp Erin Tacoma when she was 11 years old. Before camp, she struggled to make friends and talk to new people. When each cabin had to put on a skit, she was terrified. But one of her counselors encouraged her to give it a try, and that small moment changed everything. Being surrounded by peers who understood loss and counselors who created a safe, supportive environment made it easier for Kayla to open up and be herself. With that sense of connection, Kayla began to speak up more and made friends more easily—a trend that carried through after camp, as she joined school leadership groups and became more involved in her community.

“Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I had the chance to be part of Camp Erin. It shaped me in ways I didn’t fully realize at the time, and I’m thankful the program continues to exist for kids who need that same support, understanding, and spark of confidence that it gave me.”

She still has the small plushie she received at the end of camp, signed by all of her camp friends—”a small reminder of a place where I grew, healed, and learned to be braver than I thought I could be.”

Brooklyn W. | 2026 Eluna Trustees Legacy Fund Scholarship Awardee

Brook first came to Camp Mariposa at the recommendation of her guardian mother, who thought that camp would help Brook deal with her birth parents’ struggles with drugs and alcohol. At camp, the activities that meant the most to Brook were the ones that helped her communicate with the kids around her. From trying new things like horseback riding to writing and then burning a Letter to Addiction, Brook was able to both have fun and be vulnerable with kids experiencing the same struggles as her, learning how to open up in a space where she knew she was not alone. Brook attended camp every weekend she could for six years until she graduated, and now volunteers for Camp Mariposa family camp events and supports her younger sisters as they attend camp.

“Going through the things I did made me very hateful and selfish. Camp Mariposa showed me that people can change, and even if things happen the way they do, someone still needs somebody there for them. It has helped me see the good in people and has let me try to shed this positivity onto other people.”

While studying to become a mechanic, Brook realized she had an itch for psychology. She plans to complete her associate degree in automotive and then attend university to pursue a career in psychology. “I want to be someone people can come and talk to, and I want to help other people in the future.”

Asia Star G. | 2026 Team Jesse Scholarship Recipient

Asia’s Camp Erin experience brought her joy while allowing her to be vulnerable. After her cousin’s tragic death, her family noticed Asia becoming withdrawn and isolated. Camp Erin helped her come out of her shell. She enjoyed the experience so much that she is now a Camp Erin junior volunteer and a Peer Ambassador for Roberta’s House, Eluna’s Camp Erin network partner. Asia’s favorite activity at Camp Erin—drawing what her cousin liked to do—helped inspire a love of combining art with advocacy. She wrote and illustrated a book addressing adolescent grief and has championed Camp Erin to her community, including speaking with the Mayor of Baltimore City about her grief journey.

“Camp Erin was insightful and brought me joy. Thanks to Camp Erin, I realized I wanted to be an artist and comic book writer (wow, what a combo!) that helps teens to effectively deal with their grief and know there is still life after the loss of a loved one.”

Asia comes from three generations of proud military service. Her father was deployed three times in the Marine Corps, receiving two Combat action Ribbons and two Navy and Marine Corps medals. Asia’s grandfather is a retired Air Force veteran after over 25 years in the service. Her great-grandfather served in the Army at a time when the military was segregated. “He still served with honor and dignity and received medals for his outstanding service. He was a proud veteran, and that meant the world to him and his family.”

Samaris Olivia O. | 2026 Jason Clark Memorial Scholarship Awardee – New in 2026!

Olivia received personalized support from the Eluna Resource Center after her beloved Grandmother Tere, a first responder who cared for patients for 36 years, died suddenly from COVID-19. Olivia wanted to be strong for her family and felt guilty whenever her grief bubbled up, fearing she was making her family feel worse. The Eluna Resource Center provided Olivia and her mom with referrals to counseling resources so Olivia could talk to someone without fear, as well as conversation outlines to help the family connect over grief and coping activities like the Art with Heart Emotions Map. With these tools and guidance, Olivia was able to release her anger and express her emotions:

“My family and I felt lost after Grandma Tere’s death, and it wasn’t getting any easier. But now, I can laugh and smile when telling stories of her. I can cry with my sister and not feel heavy because of it. I know how to express my feelings and look forward to my future again.”

Olivia plans to attend UC Davis to study biological science and anthropology. She hopes to become a medical researcher making a positive impact for others.

The 2026 Eluna Scholarship Program is made possible thanks to generous support from the Beam family, Susan and Erik Hansen, the Ronald A. Mincio Education Fund, Eluna’s Board of Trustees, and individual donors like you. To support these scholarships and help keep our vital programs free, make a gift today!

Applications were evaluated by Eluna’s 2026 Scholarship Review Committee: Amy Beam, Leah Bogatie, Sarah Clark, Don DiJulia, Susan Hansen, Karen Mincio, Terry Phelps, Juan Rivera, Emily Staudt, and Sheila Turner-Hiliard.

Thank you to our Scholarship Review Committee and supporters for fueling this year’s scholarship program. Congratulations Kayla, Brook, Asia, and Olivia! We can’t wait to see the futures you build.

Interested in applying for an Eluna scholarship? Check back in Spring 2027 for the next application window or contact Erin Washburn at [email protected] with questions.