2025 Holt Adoptee Scholarship Contest
Adoptees can enter for the opportunity to be awarded $700 toward an educational pursuit!
Every year, adoptees submit work based around a question or theme relating to the adoptee experience. We encourage applicants to interpret the prompt creatively — whether 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, we ask that you include a brief artist statement describing your piece in 200 words or less.
This opportunity is open to any adoptee (domestic or international, adopted through any agency) who is a 2025 high school graduate and planning to enroll in a higher education program, such as a university, trade school, technical training program or other eligible educational pursuit. Adoptees currently enrolled in such programs may also apply.
In 2025, three applicants will each be awarded a $700 scholarship!
To apply, please send your contact information to Holt International, along with an artistic expression responding to the following prompt:
“What is one thing you wish your family, friends or society knew about the adoptee experience?”
Please email submissions of photos, videos and essays to Elliot Bliss at [email protected]. Please mail traditional art and mixed media submissions to Holt International at the following address:
ATTN: Elliot Bliss, 250 Country Club Road, Eugene, OR 97401.
Submissions are due by May 31, 2025. Winners will be announced in September 2025, and their submissions will be featured in at least one Holt digital publication and on our social media pages.
Our team can’t wait to see what you create!
View Past Adoptee Scholarship Contest Winners
Meet This Year’s Judges
We are excited to introduce the Holt staff members who will judge the 2025 Holt Adoptee Scholarship contest!
Elliot Bliss
Adoptee Programs Manager
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 grew up in Pennsylvania. At Holt, Brooke advocates and finds homes for children with individualized needs. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, cooking and watching “Ted Lasso” 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.
Jac Brubaker
Mid-Level Gift Officer
Jac is an adoptee who works on Holt’s relational development team. She moved to Oregon from New Orleans in 2022 with her partner and two dogs. Jac is inspired by the beauty of Oregon and takes every opportunity to enjoy hiking, water sports and exploring our beautiful state. She is an avid animal lover and is overjoyed to meet any dog she can.
View the 2024 Adoptee Graduate Yearbook
Read about the Class of 2024 Holt adoptees who recently graduated from high school or college, and learn about their exciting plans for the future!