Deborah Lambert Memorial Scholarship

In honor of Deborah Lambert (SWANA Washington Evergreen Chapter President 2002-2005), and the many years she dedicated to the solid waste management field, the Chapter is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Since 2003, the Evergreen Chapter has awarded $187,000 through 122 scholarships.

Scholarship Categories

General Scholarship – up to $1,500

For students in any program of study

Environmental Scholarship – up to $2,500

For students pursuing a degree in environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, or another major applicable to the field of solid waste or resource management.

Eligibility

• Must be accepted or enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school in WA or MT for fall 2026; or be accepted or enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school outside of WA and MT but currently reside in WA or MT.
• Must be the child or grandchild of an Evergreen Chapter SWANA member in good standing or be an Evergreen Chapter student member prior to applying. Becoming a student member is free—visit SWANA’s membership page to join.
• Priority will be given to students who have not won multiple Evergreen chapter scholarships.
• Students who have been awarded Evergreen chapter scholarships totaling $6,000 or more are not eligible.

Application Submission

Submit your application through our online form. Applicants must upload a copy of their current transcript to the form.

Schedule for Selection

February – May 1
Application Window

May 1
Deadline for submitting applications

July – August
Winners announced and checks mailed

Questions?

Contact Meara Heubach: mheubach@rentonwa.gov

Criteria for Award Selection

2026 Deborah Lambert Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Maggie Chen

University of Washington

Read Maggie’s Bio

Maggie is studying Environmental Studies and Public Service & Policy at the University of Washington. She is passionate about environmental justice and ecological restoration, and hopes to pursue a career in policy that advances urban ecological restoration. Outside the classroom, Maggie is researching Garry oak ecosystem restoration in South Seattle’s Seward Park and is excited to test different invasive species removal techniques.

Lauren Ellis

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Read Lauren’s Bio

Lauren Ellis recently graduated with honors from the University of Washington with her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Lauren worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Rorrer lab, was the 2026 president of the UW American Institute of Chemical Engineers chapter and Chem-E-Car, and an executive member of UW Mortar Board Tolo chapter, Color-Me-PhD, and the ChemE department’s Chairs Advisory Committee. Lauren is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall in the Chemical Engineering department, intending to focus on chemical recycling and sustainable catalysis.

Trinity Kwon

University of Washington

Read Trinity’s Bio

Trinity is a rising fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Informatics with a focus in Data Science and Public Health-Global Health. Through her experiences in research, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and nonprofit impact evaluation, she is passionate about using data to address environmental and public health challenges. After graduation, she hopes to develop data-driven solutions and policies that promote sustainability, improve community health, and expand access to essential resources.

Tata Serebryany

University of Washington

Read Tata’s Bio

Tata Serebryany is a Chemical Engineering PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Washington. His research in the Rorrer lab focuses on developing catalysts for the chemical recycling of waste plastics. He is currently working on the depolymerization of polystyrene to recover styrene monomer from styrofoam and other post-consumer products.

Yeyi Song

Washington State University

Read Yeyi’s Bio

Yeyi Song is a Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering at Washington State University. Her research focuses on developing advanced functional materials for smart wearable technologies. A key aspect of her work is emphasizing environmentally friendly manufacturing processes in the design and development of these functional materials.

2026 Corporate Sponsorships

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