Holt Adoptee Scholarship Contest
Adoptees can enter for the opportunity to be awarded $700 towards an educational pursuit!
We are thrilled to announce the seventh annual Holt Adoptee Scholarship Contest! This year, three adoptees will each be awarded $700, thanks to the generous contribution of Holt donors.
This opportunity is open to any adoptee (domestic or international, adopted through any agency) who is a 2024 high school graduate and planning to enroll — or a student currently enrolled — in a higher education program, such as a university, trade school, technical training program or other eligible educational pursuit.
To apply, please send your contact information to Holt International, along with an artistic expression responding to the following prompt:
What is the one thing you want to tell parents starting the adoption process, and how would this advice have impacted your adoption journey?
We encourage you to interpret the prompt creatively — either through a self-portrait, an essay, digital art, a zine, a song, original choreography, poetry, a short film or any other form that inspires you! For non-essay submissions, please include a brief artist statement describing your piece in 200 words or less.
The winners will be announced by September 1, 2024, and their submissions will be featured in at least one Holt International digital publication and on our social media pages.
Submissions are due by June 1, 2024.
Please email submissions of photos, videos and essays to:
Elliot Bliss
[email protected]
Please mail traditional art and mixed media submissions to:
Holt International
ATTN: Elliot Bliss
250 Country Club Rd
Eugene, OR 97401
Our team can’t wait to see what you create!
Funds will be disbursed through a check mailed to the administrative office of each winner’s educational program of choice. For questions about a submission medium or applicant eligibility, please contact Elliot Bliss at [email protected].
View Past Adoptee Scholarship Contest Winners
Meet This Year’s Judges
We are excited to introduce the Holt staff members who will judge the 2024 annual Holt Adoptee Scholarship contest!
Elliot Bliss
Post Adoption Programs Lead
Elliot is a Korean adoptee who grew up in Oregon. In his role at Holt, Elliot creates, implements and oversees programs and resources for all adoptees. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, trying out new restaurants and relaxing at home with his two cats.
Amy Trotter, LCSW
Director, Post Adoption Services
Amy, a Vietnamese adoptee, joined Holt in 2014. She has worked in child welfare for more than 28 years, with experience in the areas of foster care, housing, juvenile court and adoption. In her free time, Amy loves to travel and plan trips. “I think I would be a travel agent in another life!” she says.
Brooke Loomis
Waiting Child Case Manager
Brooke is a Chinese adoptee who advocates for the well-being, mental health and belonging of transracial adoptees. At Holt, Brooke advocates and finds homes for children with special needs. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading books and watching “The Challenge” on TV.
Nate Schiffer
Director, Holt Adoptee Camp
Nate, a Filipino adoptee, grew up in Oregon. He has four siblings who are also adopted from the Philippines. In his spare time, Nate likes to try new food places, go to the gym and spend time with friends and family.
Cara Smith, MSW
Holt Branch Social Worker
Cara is a Holt Korea adoptee who became a social worker because of her desire to work with adoptive families. Today, Cara supports Holt families in Nebraska and Iowa through their adoption process. She also works with Holt’s Waiting Child Program and Post Adoption Services.
View the Holt Adoptee Yearbooks!
Each year, we invite graduates to submit a photo and bio to be included in the Holt Adoptee Yearbook! Submissions for this year’s digital yearbook are now closed, but you can view past yearbooks below.