Holt Adoptee Scholarship Contest
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Holt Adoptee Scholarship Contest!
Congratulations to Jayden Waggoner, Rosy Tate and Shaelynn Pelusio!
All three adoptees poured their creativity into the prompt:
“What is the one thing you want to tell parents starting the adoption process, and how would this advice have impacted your adoption journey?”
This topic was chosen by adoptee professionals who work on Holt’s post-adoption services team. They chose this prompt as a way to offer adoptees creative freedom in a safe environment to tell their story and describe their adoption journey.
Jayden Waggoner’s artwork beautifully illustrated the complexity of adoption, while Rosy Tate and Shaelynn Pelusio’s personal essays explored the topic with honesty and depth. Each of these three adoptees displayed incredible vulnerability with their submissions, and we are so grateful to them for sharing their stories.
The Holt Adoptee Scholarship opportunity is open to any adoptee (domestic or international, adopted through any agency) who is a high school graduate and planning to enroll — or a student currently enrolled — in a higher education program, such as a university, trade school, technical training program or other eligible educational pursuit.
We encourage adoptees to interpret the prompt creatively — either through a self-portrait, an essay, digital art, a zine, a song, original choreography, poetry, a short film or any other form that inspires them!
This year’s winners will each receive $700 to put toward their further education. Visit the Holt Stories blog to view their submissions.
Congratulations, Jayden, Rosy and Shaelynn, and thank you to each and every incredible adoptee who participated!
View Past Adoptee Scholarship Contest Winners
Meet This Year’s Judges
We are excited to introduce the Holt staff members who will judge the 2024 annual Holt Adoptee Scholarship contest!
Elliot Bliss
Post Adoption Programs Lead
Elliot is a Korean adoptee who grew up in Oregon. In his role at Holt, Elliot creates, implements and oversees programs and resources for all adoptees. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, trying out new restaurants and relaxing at home with his two cats.
Amy Trotter, LCSW
Director, Post Adoption Services
Amy, a Vietnamese adoptee, joined Holt in 2014. She has worked in child welfare for more than 28 years, with experience in the areas of foster care, housing, juvenile court and adoption. In her free time, Amy loves to travel and plan trips. “I think I would be a travel agent in another life!” she says.
Brooke Loomis
Waiting Child Case Manager
Brooke is a Chinese adoptee who advocates for the well-being, mental health and belonging of transracial adoptees. At Holt, Brooke advocates and finds homes for children with special needs. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading books and watching “The Challenge” on TV.
Nate Schiffer
Director, Holt Adoptee Camp
Nate, a Filipino adoptee, grew up in Oregon. He has four siblings who are also adopted from the Philippines. In his spare time, Nate likes to try new food places, go to the gym and spend time with friends and family.
Cara Smith, MSW
Holt Branch Social Worker
Cara is a Holt Korea adoptee who became a social worker because of her desire to work with adoptive families. Today, Cara supports Holt families in Nebraska and Iowa through their adoption process. She also works with Holt’s Waiting Child Program and Post Adoption Services.
Graduating in 2024? Appear in Holt’s Adoptee Yearbook!
We’re now accepting graduate photos for our digital Holt Adoptee Yearbook and print keepsake! Submit your photo by July 1, 2024 to receive copies of the print keepsake in the mail!