The See Ya Later Foundation recently awarded two college scholarships to Auburn area seniors.
Kyla Moen and Dominic Benavides, both of Auburn High School, each were awarded $1,000 to apply to college expenses after participating in a competitive application and interview process.
Benavides planes to attend Eastern Washington University and make an impact on the community by becoming an elementary school teacher. Moen plans on attend Washington State University and pursue a degree in marketing and business and eventually start her own nonprofit organization.
The foundation awards scholarships to seniors who are nominated by community members or teachers who believe these students will make the most impact in the community on the future.
To learn more, visit www.seeyalater.org.
Schools earn Cowan Award
Auburn Riverside High School, Mt. Baker Middle School and Terminal Park Elementary School are the 2011-12 Linda Cowan Schools of Distinction Award winners.
The award annually recognizes one high school, one middle school and one elementary school for academic achievement growth within at-risk student populations. Each school receives a plaque and monetary award. The high school level winner receives $3,000; the middle level $2,000; and the elementary level $1,000. The award encourages schools to continue their efforts toward closing the achievement gap for all students.
The award honors Cowan for her 30 years of service in the Auburn School District, 40 years total in public education, and for her dedication to improving the quality of education for all children.
Auburn scholars
Four Auburn students were among 90 local and regional recipients of Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program awards, the Comcast Foundation announced Wednesday.
Comcast asks schools to name students who demonstrate leadership abilities in school activities and who reflect a strong commitment to community service.
The four were: Edward “Trei” Decker, Auburn Adventist Academy; Kyoyi Lee, Jefferson High School; Amber L. Valenzuela, Auburn High; and Heather C. Odell, Auburn Mountainview.
“All the young people on this list have built impressive track records of service to others, and show great potential to community service throughout their lives,” said Len Rozek, senior vice president of Comcast’s Washington market. “We’re proud to help these young people along with their education and careers, just as they’ve already been helping the community throughout their high school years.”
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students.
To date, Comcast has awarded more than $17 million to more than 17,000 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship winners.
Elsewhere
Auburn’s Janelle Naomi Churchill recently graduated with a degree in social work from Union College (Lincoln, Neb.). Union College, a Christian school, awarded 170 degrees to 156 students. …
Auburn’s Timothy Ditch has been awarded a $1,500 dean’s scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year at Eastern Washington University. The award is given to incoming freshmen with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79 and an SAT score of at least 1000. Ditch, son of Timothy and Barbara Ditch, will graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School this spring. He intends to pursue a degree in chemistry or biochemistry, and is interested in getting involved with EPIC Adventures. …
Elvina Kuzmich, of Algona, has been awarded a $2,500 presidential scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year at Eastern Washington University. The award is given to incoming students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.8 or higher, or an SAT score of at least 1250. Kuzmich, daughter of Vladimir and Olga Kuzmich, graduates from Auburn Riverside High School this spring, where she takes honors and advanced placement classes and is involved in the Raven Mentorship Program, Auburn city-wide cleanups and the National Honor Society. She intends to pursue a degree in speech pathology. …
Auburn’s Jordan Estey has been awarded a $3,500 academic honors scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year at Eastern Washington University. The award is given to incoming freshman with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 or higher, or an SAT score of at least 1100. Estey, daughter of Larry and Gina Este, graduates from Auburn High School this spring, where she was a member of the volleyball and swim teams and was involved in DECA, debate, Future Business Leaders of America, leadership and the National Honor Society. She intends to pursue a degree in business. …
The following Evergreen Heights Elementary students were honored for exemplifying the month’s trait, honesty: Cesar Lopez, Lily Everett, Trinidy Rummel, Peyton Rainwater, Elizabeth Kustyukov, Alina Papernik, Kushi Gill, Jesus Chavez, Elisha Cherevach, Ariana Mancilla, Sophia Naumchuk, Beyonce’ Tuia, Edward Choe, Hannah Cilley and Trey Black.
