Austin Schmierer named 2012 Washington Scholar

Austin Schmierer, an Odessa High School senior who plans on studying biology, has been named a Washington Scholar for 2012/2013. The other two scholars are Elise Loggers of Colville and Lucy Hill of Wilbur. The alternate is Cory Sago of Colbert.

The Washington Scholars program recognizes the accomplishments of four high school students in each of the state’s 49 legislative districts, three Washington Scholars and one alternate.

A total of 196 Washington high school seniors have been honored as Washington Scholars or Washington Scholar Alternates in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership, and community service by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP).

The list of Washington Scholars and Alternates is available on the HECB website at http://www.hecb.wa.gov/PayingForCollege/StateAid/WashingtonScholars.

Washington Scholar candidates, who represent the top one percent of graduating seniors, are initially nominated by high school principals based on academic, leadership, and community-service accomplishments. Final recipients are then selected by a 36-member committee of representatives from public and private high schools, state educational agencies, and public and private four-year colleges and universities.

Because of reduced state revenues, the state’s biennial budget does not include monetary awards for new Washington Scholars in 2011 and 2012. Scholars selected in earlier years will continue to receive the monetary benefit. However, the Washington Scholars program is intended to honor the achievements of some of our state’s most exemplary high school students, even in years when budgetary constraints preclude financial awards.

A committee comprising high school principals and college administrators makes the final selections. The committee meets in February to score the applications. Award recipients generally are announced in mid-March.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

- Be a Washington state resident.

- Be graduating from a Washington public or private high school in the current award year.

- Be enrolled at an eligible in-state college or university following high school graduation.

- Not be pursuing a post-secondary degree in theology.