Junior First

The Junior First Citizen scholarship was established by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce to recognize a JFK senior who exemplifies community involvement, leadership, and overall dedication to the events in our community. Junior First Citizens demonstrate community-wide involvement with strong leadership qualities and a desire to continue in leadership roles for years to come.

Our 2025 Junior First Citizen is Yulissa Chavez Cortes. To quote Yulissa - "Community service is much more than a charitable act, it is a vital force that strengthens communities, promotes personal growth, creates social change, and fosters responsibility." Yulissa is a member of the National Honor Society, currently serves as the ASB Vice President, and was captain of her cross country team this past fall. One of her proudest accomplishments is her involvement with the partnership with the Red Cross and the community blood drives. Yulissa strived to reach the maximum number of donations while running the event as smoothly as possible. In addition to the blood drive, Yulissa has also volunteered in our community in a variety of ways: at the public library, Oktoberfest info booth, dough boy booth and clean up crew, 4th of July parade, and Doernbecher fundraiser. The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce is proud to present a $2,000 unrestricted scholarship to Yulissa!

Maureen Ernst Memorial

The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce established the Maureen Ernst Memorial Scholarship in honor of longtime Chamber board member and dedicated community member, Maureen Ernst. Maureen passed away in 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer but left behind a legacy of volunteerism and love for this community that we have never forgotten. When selecting a recipient for this scholarship, we look for students that demonstrate a level of volunteerism in our community that goes above and beyond, just as Maureen did.

Our selection for the 2025 Maureen Ernst Memorial Scholarship is Amber Handran. Amber is an active member in the National Honor Society and currently serves as the ASB Vice Representative. Through NHS, and ABS, she helps organize events and fundraisers to support various school initiatives and student activities. An active member of the Track and Field team, she recently raised $1,000 to purchase a new track tent for the team. Amber also spends time volunteering at Oktoberfest, at youth camps to coach young athletes and help develop their skills, and taking shifts in the concession stands for basketball and football. Outside of school, Amber enjoys helping her grandparents around the house and on their farm. Amber cites the importance of community services because it can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, something she has personally experienced. The support of others during tough times has had a lasting impression on Amber and in her words, "community service will always be a priority in my life because I believe in the power of small actions to create big changes."

The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present a $2,000 unrestricted scholarship to Amber!