Scott Santos is a Sophomore at Spokane Falls Community College. He is currently studying accounting and plans to continue his education in the fall at Eastern Washington University.
Santos is a Spokane native and a graduate from East Valley High School. In his free time, Scott enjoys writing, discussing the Red Sox and spending time with his family. He currently serves as a volunteer at the St. Paul Women and Children’s Free Restaurant and has volunteered as a coach for YMCA Youth Baseball.
Through The George Nethercutt Foundation, Scott hopes to explore the application of accounting concepts to governmental procedures and is looking forward to visiting the International Monetary Fund during the two week trip to Washington, DC.
Elizaveta Kovalenko is a sophomore at Spokane Falls Community College. She is studying business and plans to continue her education at Eastern Washington University in September.
Elizaveta was born in Kiyv, Ukraine at the start of the Soviet Union dissolution. While her family celebrated their country’s independence from the USSR, galloping inflation, a food shortage and the unknown future of their newly independent country forced them to relocate to the United States in 1994. In 2006, Elizaveta graduated with honors from Cheney High School. She is fluent in Russian, Ukrainian and English. Currently, Elizaveta is balancing her time with attending fulltime classes at Spokane Falls Community College, working part-time at Witherspoon, Kelly, Davenport , & Toole Law Firm, and volunteering at Pilgrim Slavic MB Church as well as other community organizations.
Elizaveta is excited about the opportunity to participate in the Nethercutt Fellowship Program. “I find our country’s Constitution and Bill of Rights amazing documents. I appreciate the freedom we experience every day. I am looking forward to learning more about the history of the United States, our government and the political process that makes our country the great nation it is today.”
Mark Sherwood is a sophomore at Spokane Falls Community College. He is currently studying to be a secondary education teacher with endorsements in the areas of Social Studies and Special Education. Mark will continue his studies at Eastern Washington University in September. Mark, a Spokane Native, is a graduate from Shadle Park High School. He is actively involved in the community and currently serves as a Young Life Leader and an Assistant Basket Ball coach for an area high school. Past volunteer activities have included coaching free basketball clinics for low-income kids, serving as a mentor for “at-risk” students at a local alternative school and teaching Vacation Bible School at his church.
Mark is excited about the opportunity to be a Nethercutt Fellow. “This experience will allow me to gain a better understanding of the United States government and the political process in order that I may become a more educated citizen, voter, and teacher.”
Richard Cummins is currently a sophomore at Spokane Falls Community College. He is studying business and is planning to pursue his bachelors degree at Eastern Washington University. At age 42, Richard returned to school last year to pursue his dream of a college education. With a Certificate in Automotive and Diesel Mechanics from the Universal Technical Institute, Richard spent many years working in the skilled trades, eventually owning his own business. It was this experience that motivated him to go back to school. “I realized that while I had the skills to do the job, there was a lot about owning a business that I did not understand…employment laws, accounting procedures, etc. I wanted to be able to handle all aspects of my business, so I decided to go back to college.” Richard is currently involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout Master and an active volunteer with his church. He has also served the community as a reserve police officer. Richard and his wife Linda have three wonderful children ages 16, 12 and 7.
Richard is fascinated with politics and looking forward to meeting congressional leaders in Washington, DC. He believes a civic education through The George Nethercutt Foundation will give him “the experience and tools to be a more positive force within my home, school, church and community.”
