Wendell Young is the recipient of the $10,000 renewable Dr. Emmett and Dorothy Calhoun Scholarship, which should help in his big plans for the fall.

He plans to attend Oregon State University to become a marine biologist. Throughout his high school career Wendell served in many service and volunteer roles and was also an outstanding high school athlete.

He was captain of the football team, while also maintaining a high GPA, graduating Magna Cum Laude and with his Associate of Arts from Grays Harbor College.

He said of his recent $10,000 award (that is renewable for $10,000 a year for an additional three years): “This scholarship will be influential in not only funding my education, but in helping me fulfill my dream of becoming a marine biologist. Thank you for believing in my potential and showing me that determination is key, hard work is valued, and perseverance truly pays off.”

About a decade ago, Dr. Robert Calhoun and his wife Katherine set up a scholarship fund in memory of his parents Dr. Emmett and Dorothy Calhoun for a graduating Hoquiam High School senior pursuing studies in the medical and science fields.

A hometown hero, Dr. Emmett Calhoun was a man with many accolades including an Army and Navy veteran of three wars, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, a war hero and a retired rear admiral, but probably remembered by most in Grays Harbor as a local leader in the medical profession who went above and beyond for his patients for over 50 years.

Before his passing over 40 years ago, Dr. Calhoun and his wife Dorothy spent their entire lives serving the residents of Grays Harbor through their community activism. He served as an instructor of surgery at St. Joseph Hospital’s School of Nursing, served four terms as the president of the hospital and was Medical Director at the nursing home.

His wife Dorothy helped to organize the local medical auxiliary and also served as president of the state auxiliary. She was the organizer and first president of the St. Joseph Hospital Service League. Dr. Calhoun was voted as The Daily World’s “Man of the Year” in 1976 and was once quoted by one of his supporters as “the best of the horse and buggy doctor philosophy blended with expertise.”

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation, which administers the scholarship, wrote, “Congrats, Wendell. We cannot wait to see how far you go with your community cheering you on.”