2026 ASFSB Scholarship Recipients

Emma Engmyr

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara CA. Both of my grandparents were born and raised in Sweden, and their journeys to the United States have had a lasting impact on our family. My grandfather immigrated to America in 1953 at just 17 years old, traveling alone. He met my grandmother when he was in the United States. They eventually bought a house together in Santa Barbara, where I currently live with my family.

I attended UCSB, graduating with a BS Degree in Biological Sciences and have worked at an Orthopedics office for the past 2 years. In the Fall, I am attending UC Irvine to receive a Master’s degree in nursing and eventually work as a Registered Nurse. I am passionate about healthcare and am excited to give back to the community.

I hope to continue to live in Santa Barbara and stay in contact with my grandparents and continue to honor our Scandinavian heritage.

I appreciate the American Scandinavian Foundation so much and am so grateful for this scholarship.

Thank you.

Ashton Gilbert.

I was born and raised here in Santa Barbara, CA. I attended Dos Pueblos High School, where I was a student in the DP Engineering Academy. I am currently attending the University of California, Santa Barbara in the College of Letters and Science, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a preface in Psychology and Brain Science. 

This coming summer, I look forward to participating in a research lab at UCSB, earning my EMT license, and continuing my community service across many organizations here in Santa Barbara.  Ultimately, I hope to attend a U.S medical school where I will receive a medical degree and specialization in clinical adolescent psychiatry. It has always been my dream to work in the Santa Barbara area to offer more comprehensive and patient-focused care to underserved adolescents who need it most. As someone who has dealt extensively with mental health issues throughout my life, I know firsthand how impactful quality psychiatric care can be.  

Outside of my academic work, you can often find me enjoying the many wonders of our beautiful community. I spend much of my free time surfing at Campus Point, hiking the Los Padres National Forest, or walking through the Botanical Gardens. 

This incredibly generous scholarship, awarded to me by the American-Scandinavian Foundation, will not only allow me to continue my education at one of the top universities in the state but also to give back to the community that I love.

Thank You