Chelsea Center

Most students coming to the completion of their high school studies focus on one of two directions: going off to college or joining the workforce. There is a third option–a Gap Year. Found more often in Europe, a Gap Year is the year following completion of high school in which a student decides to defer either going to college or entering the workforce to instead embark on a year of travel, volunteer work, or a combination of both. Especially for those who are undecided about a future direction, taking a year to explore can be a positive life-changing experience.

The Chelsea Center is excited to offer a Gap Year Scholarship of up to $5000 to provide support to students interested in engaging in experiential learning in between their senior year of high school and their first year of college. To be awarded this scholarship, WGHS students volunteer through our Chelsea Center in Nepal for 10-16 weeks with service organizations including No Limits Nepal. Scholarship recipients spend time teaching in local villages, helping with planting or harvest seasons, or working in other ways to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

This year’s recipients, Amelia and Therese, are currently in Nepal. Amelia is a violinist who is passionate about teaching music, and is bringing the joy and power she has experienced through music to Nepal. Therese, a former member of the Chelsea Center Teaching & Learning Cohort for future educators, is not only crafting and delivering lessons for the young children in the village, but also spending time laughing with them, sparking and sustaining their curiosity, and enhancing their problem-solving and language skills.

Students interested in this scholarship should visit with Dr. Kerry Arens in the Chelsea Center. The application deadline is February 18, 2026, and all application details are on the Chelsea Center website bit.ly/chelseacenter.