Washington Scholars Ceremony
to Honor State's Outstanding Students

Top high school seniors take center stage May 20

OLYMPIA—Washington’s most accomplished high school seniors will be recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and community involvement at the annual Washington Scholars ceremony May 20 in Olympia.

Created by the Legislature in 1981, the Washington Scholars program honors three high school seniors from each of the state’s 49 legislative districts for their academic excellence and demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities. The program is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP).

This year’s class of 147 Washington Scholars and 49 Scholar Alternates will be honored with a morning ceremony in the state House of Representatives chambers and an afternoon luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia.

The ceremony will feature Sen. Derek Kilmer, chair of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, Rep. Deb Wallace, chair of the House Higher Education Committee, and Rep. Glenn Anderson, ranking Republican on the House Higher Education Committee, who will offer congratulatory remarks and present House and Senate resolutions recognizing the Scholars.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has been invited to deliver the luncheon keynote address. Other scheduled speakers include HECB Executive Director Ann Daley, AWSP Executive Director Gary Kipp, Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and Comcast Vice President of Communications Steve Kipp. Comcast has underwritten the Scholars luncheon for the last nine years.

In addition to their high academic achievement, many Washington Scholars take part in a wide variety of extracurricular activities benefitting the community, such as tutoring, volunteering at food banks, organizing blood drives and assisting families in depressed communities in the United States and other countries.  

“The Washington Scholars program offers proof of the potential that exists in so many of our state’s young people today,” said the HECB’s Daley. “It also suggests that by encouraging individual initiative and maintaining a strong educational system, we can continue to produce the strong leaders and innovators that Washington will need in the years to come.”  

“These students have shown dedication not just to academics but to the world around them, already stepping into leadership roles at the local level and beyond,” said AWSP’s Kipp. “Our state will certainly benefit from the students’ decision to continue their studies here in Washington. With such remarkable skills and talents, this year’s Scholars will help their communities meet the challenges of the 21st century, no matter what field or profession they pursue.”  

Washington Scholars receive grants equivalent to 90 percent of 12 quarters (or eight semesters) of undergraduate resident tuition, which can be used at any Washington public or independent college or university. For Scholars attending a Washington independent college or university, the grants are contingent upon the school matching the state grant dollar-for-dollar with institutional gift aid or tuition waiver. Scholars must maintain a 3.30 minimum cumulative grade point average to continue receiving grant money after the first three academic quarters or two semesters of study.

Click here for more information on the Washington Scholars selection process and a directory of the 2009 Scholars.

About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,400 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.

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