Lauren Knizacky, a 2022 graduate of Mason County Central High School, can’t wait to become the kind of teacher she was drawn to as a child.
“I always kind of needed a person like me,” said Lauren.
This sentiment drives her passion to become a supportive, understanding educator. She is well on her way, thanks in part to scholarships from the Community Foundation for Mason County.
Upon high school graduation, Lauren received numerous scholarships, including several through the Community Foundation. And now, as a third-year college student, Lauren continues to fuel her education with community support.
Lauren received two Community Foundation scholarships in 2024, including the Rick and Mary Ann Randall Scholarship. The Randalls value education and the opportunities it provides. “We believe that all students who wish to pursue higher education should be able to do so, regardless of their academic standing or financial resources. Therefore, we offer scholarships to deserving students who demonstrate a strong desire to continue their education beyond high school,” said Rick and Mary Ann.
When asked what she would say to the Randalls, Lauren’s response was heartfelt: “I would say ‘thank you very much’ because I’m going to be able to impact a lot of students because of the scholarship and my education. It’s really about impacting students in a good way and changing their lives. I had so many teachers who changed my life; I always wanted to do that for others.”
As the youngest of five siblings, Lauren grew up wanting to pursue higher education. Although her parents did not attend college, all of her siblings went on to earn degrees and pay for their own educations, inspiring Lauren to follow a similar path. She chose Western Governors University, an online institution, primarily for its affordability and flexibility.
Lauren’s journey into education began during high school with the Educator Academy at West Shore ESD, where she explored teaching across different grade levels. Her experiences solidified her desire to become an elementary school teacher, particularly after working with inspiring educators like Mason County Central Elementary 3rd-grade teacher, Elise Chalko.
Scholarships from the Community Foundation and other community organizations were transformative. They enabled her to focus entirely on her studies during her first year of college, allowing her to complete an impressive 28 credits in her first semester without the stress of working.
Today, she is able to manage living expenses like rent and groceries on her own. Lauren also works at House of Flavors Restaurant in the summer and practices her future craft as a first and second grade instructional assistant at Mason County Central Elementary School during the school year.
“I’m so lucky to be able to do this without any student loans,” Lauren shared.
Lauren’s long-term goal is to teach in Mason County Central School District at the elementary school she attended as a child. Her vision for teaching goes beyond academic instruction.
“I want students to be excited to come to school,” she explained. “I want them to feel safe, to learn not just curriculum, but how to be good people and develop strong social skills.”
Her advice to other students who wish to pursue a degree? “Just keep trying. There are always resources available, and the benefits of education are infinite.”
When Lauren considers the patchwork of drawings covering part of a wall in the classroom where she works as a teacher’s assistant, she glows with pride and gratitude. Each was created just for her; she can recall a name and a story behind every last piece of artwork.
With the support of the Community Foundation and generous donors like the Randalls, it’s undeniable that Lauren is already becoming the kind of teacher she sought out as a child – compassionate, understanding, and inspiring. The benefits of her scholarships will continue to multiply over the years as she positively impacts the lives of her community’s students and their families. For good. For ever.