Everyday People: Seaside High school twins awarded prestigious scholarship 

Published 9:22 am Monday, January 5, 2026

For Seaside high school seniors Chantrell and Brenna Lee, college was always the goal, but getting there required more than ambition. Last spring, their hard work paid off when they earned the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, a full four-year award valued at more than $325,000. Chantrell matched with Smith College, where she plans to major in Environmental Science and Policy, while Brenna matched with Dartmouth College, intending to major in Biology with a focus on Ecology. 

The support for those ambitions came from Clatsop Community College’s TRIO Upward Bound Program, where both students spent crucial time preparing for life beyond high school. 

TRIO Upward Bound is a federally funded college access program designed to support high-achieving students who may face barriers to higher education. Many participants are first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds. The program serves students in grades 9–12 and provides long-term academic and college-readiness support throughout high school.

Students receive individualized advising, assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications, and exposure to college campuses across Oregon. One of the program’s most impactful components is the six-week Summer Academy, where students take courses in writing, math, science and foreign language while also participating in enrichment activities focused on teamwork and community engagement.

Behind the achievements were long hours of preparation and mentorship, said Amy Magnussen, director of Pre-College TRIO Programs at Clatsop Community College. She watched their journey unfold firsthand. 

“Both girls worked extremely hard to maximize their college enrollment and scholarship opportunities,”  Magnussen said. “They met regularly with their advisor, Claudia Mendez, challenged themselves with rigorous coursework and volunteered in their community. Their commitment and perseverance really stood out.” 

Chantrell joined the TRIO programs in 2022, while Brenna became part of the Upward Bound in early 2025. Though their timelines differed, Magnussen said both students shared determination to take advantage of every opportunity available to them. 

That determination was evident to Claudia Mendez, their advisor and a former TRIO alumna herself, who worked closely with both students throughout their application process. 

“I have worked with Chantrell and Brenna Lee, and they are truly outstanding students — dedicated, kind and respectful,” Mendez said. “Both worked extremely hard and were a pleasure to support.”

Mendez said meetings often take place whenever time allows — before school, during lunch, after school and even on Zoom when necessary. Brenna participated in the Upward Bound Summer Academy before her senior year, while Chantrell  balanced her involvement in Regatta activities. Despite different schedules, both students shared a strong passion for environmental science and were active in school clubs. 

They were also frequent visitors to the Seaside High School Career Center, Mendez said, where they consistently sought out scholarship opportunities, financial aid guidance and information about college pathways.  

“They understood that scholarships and financial aid would play a key role in funding their education,” Mendez said. “They were determined to apply for as many as possible.”

Last year, CCC partnered with Eastern Oregon University to offer students an immersive college experience. Twenty-eight Upward Bound students spent a week on campus attending summer institutes, an opportunity Magnussen said often helps students envision themselves in higher education. 

“For many of them, it’s the first time they’ve lived on a college campus,” she said. “That experience can be transformational.”

Across Clatsop County, CCC’s Pre-College TRIO Programs — including Upward Bound and Talent Search— serve 744 students. Talent Search serves 671 students in grades 6-12, while Upward Bound provides a more intensive level of support to 73 high school students. 

For Chantrell and Brenna Lee, that support extended into the demanding QuestBridge application process. The National Match Scholarship covers tuition, housing, food and other educational expenses for four years at one of Questbridge’s partner schools.  

“They came almost every day to work on the QuestBridge application,” Mendez said. “We worked on essays, college admission requirements and financial aid applications to make sure they had every resource available to succeed.” 

Brenna  said they had no idea that they would be accepted to their colleges. Dartmouth was third on her list, she said she ranked it high because it offers smaller and more personal class sizes like a liberal arts college. 

“It has a lot of opportunities for science,” she said, “including specialized degree programs and terms dedicated to independent research and internships. I also loved that it was more rural and surrounded by nature.” 

Brenna is planning on majoring in biology because she finds it fascinating. 

“I love investigating the mechanisms of life and find it miraculous,” she said. “I want to focus on ecology because I’m interested in working with conservation. I think that it is crucial to protect the environment to create a healthier planet.” 

She said that she is debating on majoring or minoring in public policy since it’s intertwined with conservation. 

Chantrell  ranked 15 colleges during her application process but felt immediately drawn to Smith College for a variety of reasons, “Out of all the colleges I looked into, I could see myself at Smith the most.” 

“Their botanical graden caught my eye,” she said. “And they have one of the most beautiful campuses. I imagined myself spending time by the river and exploring the town of Northampton.” 

Chantrell said she knew she was interested in attending a historically all-woman’s college. 

“And Smith College stood out due to its small size and strong support system, including that of faculty and alumni,” she said. “Additonally, the college offers great study abroad programs as well as excellent facilities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).” 

As a kid, Chantrell said she recalls begging her mom to take her to the tidepools or play in the forest with her sister, who pretended to be on “Wild Kratts,” a Canadian educational television series.

“I believe that growing up on this beautiful coast has really solidified this path for me,” Chantrell said. “Conservation has always been important to me, and I believe now more than ever, this is what I want to go into. I hope to create sustainable practices and use my passion for the outdoors and to help protect our planet.” 

Chantrell said that TRIO has played an essential role in her education, pointing out that Mendez has been by her side for this journey. 

“She was the one who introduced me to QuestBridge,” Chantrell said. “At first, I doubted whether to apply because I thought I had no chance at receiving a full-ride scholarship, but she urged (us) to apply, telling my sister that we had more than a chance.”

Chantrell recalls when she and her sister heard that they were finalists; Mendez was there when it happened. 

“It was the support from TRIO and her belief in me that helped me get to where I am today,” Chantrell said. “I am truly grateful for this kindness … I would tell anyone thinking about TRIO to absolutely do it.” 

For Mendez, helping guide them through the process was personal. 

“As a former TRIO alumna, it was incredibly rewarding, ” she said. “It was honestly a privilege to work with them and answer their questions. They worked hard for this.”