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The Board of Directors voted to begin awarding $500.00 scholarships to high school students in our area in 2007. The program at present awards $2,000 scholarships to one student from each of the nine area High Schools: Lincoln High School, De Sales, Prescott, Touchet, Walla Walla Valley Academy, Waitsburg, Sea Tech, College Place High School and Walla Walla High School.

The students chosen for these awards are selected using the following criteria:

• Scholastic Achievement.
• Financial need.
• And the key to this program - Adversities overcome to achieve.
• Also, the student receiving the award is selected by teachers and staff of the school.
• The student is required to come to a Rotary meeting.
• A Rotarian will go to the school and honor the student during their school’s awards program.
• And the funds will made available directly to the institution of the student’s choice with proof of enrollment.

Allowing the teachers and staff of the schools to choose the students is a key element of the program as the teachers have worked closely with the students for several years and know their stories.

 Over the years we have heard some amazing success stories from our scholarship recipients. On many occasions these students are first generation in their family to attend college. Perhaps for some it will be only college for one quarter, but the seed has been planted that something more in life can be reached for.

In addition to our regular scholarships, we also have our Phase II Program where students who have received scholarships can apply and go through a process for additional funding – the amount awarded to be determined by the Phase II Committee.