Kirkland Student Awarded BECU Scholarship

Kirkland's Sarah Smith was among 45 students to win scholarships recently from the Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU) Foundation, which rewards exceptional community service by graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students.

This year BECU awarded $2,500 scholarship to the 45 students for the 2012-2013 school year.

Smith was selected by a volunteer selection committee of local business, educational and non-profit leaders based on a combination of strong dedication to community service, leadership and academics.

A graduate now attending Carroll College, she volunteers at Phoenix Rising Sanctuary, a nonprofit group in Duvall that brings girls and rescued horses together for mutual benefit. Smith noted it has been a meaningful experience that changed her life. After three years and more than 800 hours of volunteer work, she became a more confident, compassionate and hard working, with a positive sense of who she is. Her experiences have made her determined to pursue an education that will allow her to be involved in Equine Assisted Therapy.

The Foundation received more than 600 scholarship applications from BECU student members. Applicants were required to submit hours of community service, grade point, transcripts and letters of recommendation, as well as essays describing their most meaningful service experiences.

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Information from BECU press release.