Lummi Student Starts BTC Under First Full-ride Scholarship

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“If you want something, just go out there and get it,” she said.

“It’s not difficult ... and in the end you’re going to have a great career.”

The scholarship program was established in February 2008 after the Ferndale area refinery donated $50,000 to the college to increase interest in programs related to jobs at refineries. In all, there will be four full-ride scholarships awarded to Lummi Nation students, with the scholarship covering tuition, books and material fees.

Misanes heard about the scholarship program last year while she was thinking about where she would go to school and how she and her family would be able to afford it. She originally thought about entering the dental program, but once she heard about the instrumentation program, she was intrigued by the math applications.

Only two weeks into the quarter, Misanes is impressed with how much she’s learned about electricity. She hasn’t started any of the instrumentation classes, but she knows she will have plenty of opportunity to practice her skills before being released into the job market.

“At colleges like this everything is hands on, which I like,” she said. “That’s how I learn.”

Once she gets settled into her school routine, Misanes hopes to give presentations about the program and scholarship to fellow tribal members, encouraging them to take advantage of the free school opportunity.

“I was glad to get the scholarship through Lummi so that I can help the community more,” she said.

BELLINGHAM - Bellingham Technical College student Lacie Misanes is adamant about people working hard and doing whatever it takes to reach their goals, no matter how lofty they are.

And she should know. The 19-year-old is the first person in her family to attend any type of college, and she’s doing it on BTC’s first full-ride scholarship.

Misanes, who started school this quarter, is the first recipient of a ConocoPhillips scholarship that was established for Lummis who are interested in the instrumentation and control and process technology degree programs.

And while Misanes hopes her enrollment in the instrumentation and control program helps her get a good job after graduation, she mostly hopes that fellow tribal members will be inspired by her schooling and follow suit.