Mary Ciuniq Pete Legacy Scholarship

by BCSF Staff

In its second year of scholarship granting, the Mary Ciuniq Pete Legacy Scholarship Fund made two awards to students enrolled at the Kuskokwim Campus (KuC). Kailyn RubyAnn Anvil and Brittney Boney, both from Bethel, will receive academic scholarships of $1,000 each. The scholarship is housed at Bethel Community Services Foundation and is made possible, in large part, by the generosity of individual donors. The amount of donations made to the scholarship fund leading up to the 2020 scholarship cycle grew to allow for two awardees! Scholarship recipients are chosen by a selection committee, and demonstrate the leadership and work ethic championed by the scholarship’s namesake, the late Mary Ciuniq Pete.

Anvil works as the KuC Receptionist and Administrative Assistant while attending classes full- time and raising her young daughter. She is enrolled in the Nursing associate degree program at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) while also pursuing her bachelor’s of Elementary Education at University of Alaska Fairbanks- both at the Kuskokwim Campus.

Anvil says that while working at KuC when Mary C. Pete was director, she was inspired by Mary’s involvement with education, the community, and Alaska Native culture.

“To receive a scholarship in her name is a very deep honor. I hope to use this scholarship to further my education so that I can also make a positive impact in the community— striving to encourage learning and cultural appreciation as KuC and Mary Pete have done for me.”

Boney is also working towards her Nursing associate degree through UAA at the Kuskokwim Campus. She is currently working in Administration at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and is eager to continue her career in the healthcare field.

“I am very honored to be a recipient of the Mary Ciuniq Pete scholarship this year. I can’t wait to give back to my community that has supported my journey through nursing school.” After graduating from her nursing program this December, Boney plans to work at YKHC as a registered nurse.

The scholarship was created to honor the legacy of late KuC director Mary Ciuniq Pete. As the director of KuC and a leader in many other arenas, Mary was a fierce advocate for high-quality education, a healthy and thriving environment, and the safety of women and girls in Bethel and across Western Alaska. The scholarship was created in partnership with the leadership team from the UAF-Kuskokwim Campus and Mary’s partner, Hubert Angaiak.

The scholarship fund is endowed- meaning the principal is permanent and only interest is spent in order for the fund to grow and benefit more KuC students. You can help the scholarship fund grow more rapidly by making a gift to the fund. Contributions can be made in a number of ways:

ONLINE: At bcsfoundation.org, click the Donate tab and choose “Mary Ciuniq Pete Legacy

Scholarship Fund” or visit bit.ly/MaryCiuniqPete.

IN-PERSON: Cash, check or credit card will be accepted at BCSF, located at 1795 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy.

MAIL: Checks made out to Bethel Community Services Foundation with “Mary Ciuniq Pete Legacy Scholarship” in the memo can be sent to BCSF at PO Box 2189, Bethel, AK 99559.

PHONE: Credit card contributions can be made by calling 907-543-1812.

To learn how to open a fund for a cause that you care about, or include the Mary Ciuniq Pete Legacy Scholarship or another BCSF Fund in your estate/legacy plans, contact Michelle at [email protected].