Donor helps Big Bend student in need

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College student Ginna Fontaine’s hope of attending Central Washington University this fall is restored.

Fontaine received a call from a Big Bend spokesperson, informing her a donor stepped in and offered to pay for her first quarter at Central Washington University (CWU). The student is in danger of having her WAVE scholarship suspended by the state because of budget cuts.

“I was so shocked. I never expected anyone to do that for me,” Fontaine said. “My goal was to let people know what was happening and to influence the governor and the legislature.”

Only three top high school, skills center and vocational college students from each legislative district receive the WAVE award each year. The scholarship is awarded to 147 students and provides two years of college tuition.

Fontaine needed the money to be able to attend CWU in the fall. When she received a letter about the possible suspension of WAVE, she wasn’t sure if she should attend college.

Moses Lake resident Agnes Holloway was outraged when she read about Fontaine’s situation in the Columbia Basin Herald.

“It bothered me,” Holloway said. “I am quite committed to education, ?especially for women, so I stepped in. Ginna was working really hard, she got this scholarship on merit and I didn’t want to see her lose it.”

Holloway contacted Doug Sly, executive director of the Big Bend Community College Foundation. Sly set up a meeting between the two women right away.

“We had tissues handy,” Sly said. “Agnes is a very humble, unassuming person. She told me that the story bothered her, that she sat around waiting for someone to do something and when no one did, she decided to do something.”

Holloway presented Fontaine with a $2,100 check, stating it was hers to use for school even if the WAVE scholarship was re-instated. Fontaine embraced Holloway and cried.

“I told her I was amazed and grateful,” Fontaine said. “It takes a special woman to do something like that.”

Fontaine talked about her aspirations and family with Holloway.

“Those are the days that make you realize why you are into this kind of work,” Sly said. “Those are the days that makes it all worth it.”

Holloway was impressed by Fontaine.

“She’s a very open person that is easy to meet,” Holloway said. “Meeting her solidified the fact that I was doing the right thing. I really didn’t do much, all I did was guarantee she would have enough funds for the first quarter.”

Holloway is passionate about educating women.

“I came from a generation when education was not encouraged for women,” she said. “Women could be secretaries, teachers or something like that. Anyone that wanted to be more didn’t have a chance of doing so.”

Holloway finished college when she was 39.

“I have always believed women should be able to make a good living because life is tedious, marriages break up and it is nice to have education there to fall back on,” she said. “We aren’t all June Cleavers, you know? I think education gives a woman some extra insurance because she knows she can handle challenges.”

Holloway believes Fontaine can go far.

“I was so impressed with the way she was going about things,” Holloway said. “She is a survivor and she’s intelligent.”

Fontaine sent Holloway a thank you letter and plans on staying in contact.

“I want her to know it meant to me and that it’s given me the encouragement to not give up on my dreams,” Fontaine said. “I hope I can pay her back somehow for what she’s done for me.”

Fontaine is now focused on graduating Big Bend, taking classes in the summer and attending CWU in the fall to get a degree in accounting.

“I’ve changed since hearing this news,” Fontaine said. “I’ve been relaxed and stress free. Now I can just focus on my classes and taking care of my family.”

Despite the good news, Fontaine isn’t done fighting.

“I’m still working for the cause,” she said. “There are many people out there that are affected by the possible scholarship suspension besides me.”