2026 Scholarship Recipients
Tayler Krabbenhoft
Dean’s List Scholarship ($4,000)
Tayler is a dedicated skateboarder and a true example of how the skateboarding community can spark opportunity. She founded @sleeptalkskate, which started as a series of local skate meetups. It evolved into more regular gatherings & a community skate zine, and was even responsible for building multiple skateparks in her hometown of Moorhead. Tayler successfully ran multiple rec programs in Southern California for a few years, contributing to a community outside of skateboarding. Now returning to Minnesota to help her family, she will be finishing her degree in Communications, growing Sleep Talk Skate (and making it an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit) and continuing the great community work she is already doing
Steven Bradley
Dean’s List Scholarship ($4,000)
Steven is pursuing his MBA at Cal State University, Long Beach. He is a native of Inglewood, CA and a local community leader. After badly breaking his leg, he saw the power of collective care as friends raised money to help him through a tough time. Since then, he has done more than enough to give back to that same supportive community Just to name a few things, he has organized fundraisers to support local families negatively affected by ICE raids; started Softies, a 5-mile group push and pump track meetup in the South Bay area to provide a third space for BIPOC folks to ride and feel belonging; became a program manager at Stoked Mentoring; participated in the USC Skate Study; and started a skate club at his school! When he graduates in 2027, he’ll continue his work for good by starting a shop and skill-share center where people can come together, learn creative skills and, of course, meet up to go skate!
Khang Cao
Dean’s List Scholarship ($4,000)
Khang is studying to become an educator at Cal State University, Long Beach. Exposed to teaching early on as a swim instructor, and then discovering Robert Putnam’s “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis”, he was drawn to a purposeful career in education. His drive to change lives by providing quality education to people at a young age is guiding him to become a kindergarten teacher. The opportunity gap is about to get just a little bit smaller He has already given back to his community by leading skate camps in Santa Ana and as a 1:1 aide for autistic children in schools. And he can session the skatepark 3-block with the best of 'em
Jared Nelson
Dean’s List Scholarship ($4,000)
Jared is studying at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills to become a marriage and family therapist. He has been skateboarding for almost three decades, and his experience with substance use treatment helped cement his calling to become a therapist. After almost ten years of sobriety, he says that the right therapist for him helped him finally become sober and enter a better phase of life. Skateboarding, originally a source of identity and purpose, now more of a grounding source of relaxation, has always been a part of Jared's journey In the past, he has given back to the community by bringing youth from group homes to visit skateparks. Currently, he is helping folks with their struggles through his therapy practice. He graduates in the upcoming spring, which will make him a licensed therapist in the state of CA!
Gael Plascencia
Poods Scholarship, supported by the Rollin’ From The Heart Foundation, in memorium of Ian “Poods” Barry ($2,000)
Gael is from South San Diego, where he found skating at a young age. What started as a hobby blossomed into true community. His experience as a skateboarder has inspired his path toward architecture - planning and design - to kickstart approval and construction of more friendly public spaces for everyone, skateboarders and otherwise His San Diego roots make him eligible for this scholarship and also inspires his favorite skater pick, Alexis Ramirez. Each year, he’s involved in local group pushes, like the annual Go Skate Day gathering starting at Balboa Park. We can’t wait to see what Gael goes on to accomplish. His drive to create positive things for the people around him, with a 4.28 GPA no less, should set him up nicely for Freshman year at UC San Diego The future is looking bright with young skaters like this one working to make the world better.
Parker Simpkins
Poods Scholarship, supported by the Rollin’ From The Heart Foundation, in memorium of Ian “Poods” Barry ($2,000)
Parker, originally from Carlsbad, CA, is beginning his 9-month intensive flight school program with ATP Flight School. Once completed, he’ll be an accredited commercial airline pilot! At a young age, Parker decided that he wanted to support a family in a way that is true to himself and offers freedom. Piloting flights for a living is a job that, while demanding, can provide all of that Parker is a great example in his community. He’s volunteered with Exposure Skate and as a skateboard instructor with Allstar Skate Academy, Rollin’ From The Heart, and SD SkateLife. His involvement, especially with Rollin’ From The Heart, has been long-term and deeply meaningful for the youth he works with; one young skater even wrote a school essay about him. As Parker moves on to flight school, he will continue to be a life-long skateboarder and member of his community in San Diego County. We can’t wait to watch his journey take off ✈️
Madison “MJ” Jordan
Zane Scholarship, supported by the Rollin’ From The Heart Foundation, in memorium of Zane Timpson ($4,000)
Originally from Birmingham, AL, MJ is pursuing a BFA in Integrative Design at Parsons School of Design. What began as a love for photography flourished into zine-making and uplifting local skaters, especially women. Through producing zines, she gave back to her community in Alabama by producing local skate events and even building new obstacles for the local skatepark. She also has volunteered with orgs that help neurodivergent folks get introduced to skateboarding and with career prep & employment support Now a new resident of New York, MJ is a rising junior at Parsons. After graduation, she will support herself as a designer and aims to make creative spaces more sustainable and accessible. This entails teaching people how to reuse and recycle materials in the studio, even upcycling clothing, and also lowering the barrier to entry in the design world to make it more inclusive for all.
Alex Sandoval
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($3,000)
Alex is a first-generation student from Sylmar, CA. He is pursuing a double major at Cal State Fullerton: International Business and Anthropology. As a proud native person, he plans to use this education to pursue Cultural Resource Management and/or become a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. His involvement with NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) as a student officer and past museum apprenticeships have already given him direct involvement in his future work [emoji] His relationship with skateboarding has taught him that starting over should not be feared and that we are all capable of accomplishing goals, regardless of how large they may be. His International Business major is because of his interest in how economic policies and trade agreements shape the lives of communities around the world, particularly in Latin America [emoji] When Alex isn’t chipping away at his goals or skating with friends, he serves as Co-president of CSUF’s Inter-Tribal Student Council.
Obi Oduma
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($2,000)
Obi is a student skateboarder from Compton, CA. Growing up there, many things were harder to access for their community, including healthcare. So they were inspired to pursue a career in nursing. After studying public health and health informatics from UC Irvine, Obi went on to become a Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) student at UCLA [emoji] They aim to eventually work in maternal and child health, specifically addressing disparities that disproportionately affect black birthing people and underserved families. Obi gives back to their community in many ways, one of which being mentorship with Concrete Queenz, an org that creates a space where girls, especially Black and Latinx girls, could feel safe being creative, expressive, and fully themselves. We can’t wait to watch Obi continue their journey and continue to empower others to take up space confidently and care for themselves and each other.
Amanda Tramble
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($2,000)
Amanda is a first-generation college student from the Atlanta area. After getting her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Kennesaw State University, she is now pursuing her Master of Social Work at Florida International University. She plans to use that as a social worker and/or therapist. Sparked by her own experience with anxiety and depression, especially through injuries, she is specifically focused on building stability and self-worth for youth that may have formed their identity or worth on performance [emoji] She already has lots of experience with youth. As a camp counselor for foster youth, she led art and yoga classes, and supported children through behavioral and emotional challenges. As a nanny and as a substitute teacher, she built experience with children of all ages. Most importantly, Amanda founded an org called Gatherhers, a community space created to bring women together for connection, reflection, and shared emotional support. This uses skateboarding, music and other elements to reinforce community.
Davonte Hooks
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($2,000)
Davonte is a first-generation college student from Washington, DC. At the University of the District of Columbia, he is studying for his BA in Biology, and he plans to use that degree to become a wildlife biologist. Inspired by various animal species, how they affect the world’s ecosystem and the need to conserve, Davonte aims to bring awareness to wildlife, endangered and otherwise [emojis] When he’s not grinding at work, school or on the board, he is raising his 6-year-old boy. All of this work is really for a better life for him and for them. At UDC, Davonte is very involved in his fraternity through which he’s spoken to youth about discipline, perseverance and leadership. Before college, he worked at a boxing gym with youth and before that a lifeguard for ten years. For his son and for all black youth, we’re stoked to see what Davonte goes on to accomplish.
Kimberly Espinoza Salgado
Jhanaiya Smith-Butler
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($1,500)
Jhanaiya is a first-generation college student from The Bronx, NY. She received a scholarship from us in 2020 as well. She studied Sociology, Art and Economics at CUNY City College of New York then. Now, she’s pursuing her Masters of Sociology at the New School for Social Research. She plans to use this degree to do research that will help all types of organizations make a positive difference for disenfranchised people - more to come when she graduates this upcoming spring [2027]! [emoji] For years, she has hosted an annual Juneteenth skate event that serves as a large gathering and also a donation drive for less fortunate skaters in the city. However, the last two years she has bypassed this event to volunteer to build schools for those in need: in 2025 in Africa and in 2026 Central America. We’re so humbled and proud to see what Jhanaiya’s accomplished and what she’ll continue to do.
Earl Morales
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($1,500)
Earl is a first-generation college student from Pittsburg, CA. Originally with goals of becoming an epidemiologist, he immersed himself in urban farming and renovation projects during COVID after graduating from undergrad. A trip to his motherland of the Philippines inspired him to go back to grad school for Environmental Policy and Management [emoji] His experience in Southeast Asia showed him how and where there is room for improvement in infrastructure for a better environment, but also he discovered a new skate scene that he was able to support on future visits! With this new stoke and fresh direction, he is et to graduate with his Master of Science in 2028 [emoji] When he’s not working toward that goal or skateboarding, Earl is volunteering with the River City Food Bank, Sacramento Food Bank, and even the Sacramento Tree Foundation. He’s also using his connections with Strap Cebu and Push Philippines to help Filipino skaters however possible!
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($1,500)
Kimberly is a first-generation college student from Ontario, CA. When her best friend (a skater) passed away, she had regrets about never trying skateboarding with them. So to carry on his legacy she started skating and never stopped. With a family history of substance abuse issues (and some experience with her own), skateboarding helped her to get clean and live a healthier lifestyle, complete with a supportive community [emoji] As an ESL student, Kimberly initially had a harder time than many of her classmates with English in school. She found that her confidence flourished and she was able to help her parents with bills and other tasks in life. Now she is studying English, with a minor in Linguistics, at Chico State, and she plans to teach English to help others like her to do better in life. She has already hosted English classes for adults at the Louis Roubidooux Literary Center and gives back in many other ways: hosting English Conversation Club, restoring local parks in her community, and facilitating women' s skate meet-ups at Ayala Park in Chino to name a few.
Darwin Luna
Emerald Peace Scholarship ($1,500)
Darwin is a first-generation college student from Pasadena, CA. He’s now studying at the Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine and will graduate in the spring of 2027! Before that, he was at Stanford University, where he co-founded the skateboarding club with his favorite skater, Wen Zhang. He will be graduating with his Doctor in Emergency Medicine, but originally his focuses were on Hematology-Oncology after experiences he had helping his mom with her health [emoji] Having parents without fluent English helped him see the need, first-hand, for doctors who can bridge that gap and help the many people in need that have that additional communication barrier. As if that’s not special enough, Darwin has been involved in his community by co-founding his school’s first Street Medicine group and working with the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic, amongst other things. With the Street Medicine group, he helped provide care and screenings for people experiencing homelessness. With the Free Clinic, he has helped uninsured people (very often Spanish speaking) with conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Emory McClellan
Get On Board Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers ($2,500)
Emory is our first repeat Get On Board Scholarship Recipient! Representing Naptown, he is pursuing majors in both Secondary Education and History at Marian University in Indianapolis. Education is important. It starts with the connection between teacher and student. Growing up without seeing teachers that looked like him, Emory’s goal is to be a relatable teacher for his students, especially POC, who can learn about empathy and patience in an increasingly problematic society In his scholarship application, Emory described skateboarding as a “lifeline” for him when he was young, trying to find his identity in the world as a young black man. When he isn’t out skating or working on assignments, he is student teaching at local middle schools or organizing and promoting local events to support small businesses Emory finishes his degree program this upcoming spring!
Kelsey Nitta
Grace Beaver
Get On Board Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers ($2,500)
Originally from southwest Oregon, Grace was inspired by her father to become a skateboarder. In her years as a skater, she has seen the diversity of skateboarders across spectrums of gender, age, economics and more. This, along with an especially influential high school counselor, has sparked her drive to become a professional (and published) psychologist [emoji] At Oregon State University - Cascades Campus, she is studying Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health. After impressive involvement in student government in high school, Grace went on to become President of the Magazine Club at her current school and volunteer with Boardhouse Society, which bring skateboards to local schools (in Bend) for afterschool instruction programs [emoji] Though the Cascades campus of OSU doesn’t have the level of funding that the main campus does, she continues to work hard to highlight a diverse group of people, especially women, LGBT+ and BIPOC, in the student population there through several zine projects of her own. All of this when she’s not skating or studying…
Skullcandy Scholarship for Engineers ($3,000)
Kelsey is beginning her final year in the Industrial Engineering program at the University of Washington. Growing up in Portland, skating (and attending) Lincoln High School and then later on the Courts DIY, she found her community through the local skate scene and then Skate Like A Girl The lessons learned from skateboarding help her foster the resiliency that serves her studies, sustainably improving systems as a working engineer. She is interning at an aerospace company and wants to eventually use her degree for more human-serving means, such as emergency response systems. While at “U Dub” (U of W), she helps expand access to winter sports by offering snowboard instruction as a volunteer with Husky Winter Sports. She also volunteers as a skateboard instructor with Skate Like A Girl in Seattle.
Ignacio Arriagada
Atiba Jefferson Scholarship ($5,000)
Ignacio is pursuing a degree in Radio, Television, and Film at the University of Texas at Austin. At a very young age, Ignacio, with his four younger brothers and his mom, emigrated from Lima, Perú to Austin, TX. There, his brother brought home a skateboard. He was then introduced to House Park Skatepark, still his local to this day. A skater’s skater and lifelong filmer, he has shot and directed multiple skate videos including the No Comply x Baker Skateboards edit. As someone who grew up between two very different realities, this introduced him to the world of storytelling, which inspired his studies at UT Austin Through the David Phillips Foundation, No-Comply Skateshop, and Skate Angels, Ignacio has given back through afterschool skateboarding instruction programming, and he continues to do so. He also brings product back to Perú, when possible, to support the next generation of skateboarders from his home region.
General CSEF Scholarships ($1,000)
