When Success is a Family Mission, One Hard Thing at a Time

"Going back to school is crazy, right?! I got the courage to go back to school when I was discussing how beneficial an education can be with my youngest child. They made a bet with me that they would better themselves if I did it with them." 

 – Cadence Didditt, scholarship recipient 

At South Seattle College, education doesn't just change one life. It changes the whole family tree. 

This year, one of the many remarkable stories that stood out among the Foundation's scholarship recipients: a mother and daughter who both earned scholarships while pursuing their educational goals side by side. Their journey is a reminder that learning has no age limit and that when one person takes a leap of faith, others often follow. 

That spirit of determination was reflected throughout the Foundation's largest scholarship year in recent history. In 2026, the South Seattle College Foundation awarded $646,500 in scholarships to 119 students, providing support for 323 quarters of tuition and fees. Every dollar came from donors who believe opportunity shouldn't come with a price tag too steep to pay. 

For nearly five decades, the Foundation has been quietly knocking down the financial walls that keep students from finishing what they started. This year's recipients carry that legacy forward, and their stories say more about who we are as a community than any statistic could.

More than 200 scholarship applications were carefully reviewed by community volunteers who repeatedly commented: these students' essays weren't just applications. They were proof of what people can push through when they refuse to give up. Two families in particular show just how far that determination can travel.  

A Mother and Daughter Pursuing Their Dreams Together

This year, both Cadence Didditt and her daughter, Lunar Didditt, received Foundation scholarships. Their shared commitment to education demonstrates how one person's decision to pursue a goal can inspire another to do the same. 

"Going back to school is crazy, right?! I got the courage to go back to school when I was discussing how beneficial an education can be with my youngest child. They made a bet with me that they would better themselves if I did it with them." 

 – Cadence Didditt 

Lunar reflects on the impact her mother's encouragement has had on her journey: 

"I can't do life or education alone and am so grateful for the opportunity your organization has given me and, therefore, my family. My mom has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader. In the quiet moments of self-doubt, I hear her voice telling me that I can do hard things." 

 – Lunar Didditt 

Two women, one dream deferred and then chased down anyway, proving that perseverance runs in families as surely as anything else does.

A Mother and Son Investing in Their Family's Future

The Foundation also awarded scholarships to Shugufa Ulfat and her son, Ahmad Sahil Ulfat, who are both first-generation college attendees pursuing their education at South Seattle College. Together, they are an example of how education strengthens entire families and creates pathways to economic mobility. 

"As a first-generation college student pursuing the pre-nursing program at South Seattle College, this opportunity carries profound meaning for both me and my family. My journey has not been easy, but it is filled with purpose. Your scholarship eases a significant financial burden and allows me to focus fully on my studies, clinical preparation, and long-term goals in patient care. It strengthens my confidence and reminds me that my hard work is seen and valued." 

 – Shugufa Ulfat 

Ahmad is charting his own path while carrying forward that same commitment to learning: 

"As an engineering first-generation college student at South Seattle College and the oldest son in my family, I strive to set a strong example and work hard toward a successful future." 

 – Ahmad Sahil Ulfat 

Like the Didditts, the Ulfats show what happens when one scholarship becomes momentum for an entire household.

More Than a Scholarship

Here's the thing about a scholarship: it was never really about the tuition check. It's about the weight it lifts, and what a student can do with their hands and their focus once that weight is gone.

Every scholarship is also a vote of confidence. It's a donor looking at a student they've likely never met and saying, I believe you're going to do something with this. That belief is what keeps students enrolled, keeps them finishing, and sends them out into careers that make this community stronger.

To every donor, volunteer, and reader who has ever given to the Foundation: thank you. You're not just funding degrees. You're funding the moment a mom tells her daughter she can do hard things and means it.

Ready to open a door for the next student who needs it? Learn how you can support scholarships through the South Seattle College Foundation.