Students awarded full scholarships to Gonzaga, Whitworth
Seventeen Washington students are being celebrated today for receiving full-ride scholarships to Gonzaga and Whitworth universities.
The YMCA's Northwest Leadership Foundation chose the scholars from among nearly 900 applicants who underwent a rigorous three-month competition. The students are selected for their "leadership, academic potential and commitment to making a difference in their communities," said Alyson Atwater, a YMCA spokeswoman. Act Six scholarships are given to ethnically diverse and mostly first-generation, low-income students.
"I am extremely honored to be a part of the next cadre of Act Six Scholars, and I could not be more excited to start college this fall," said RaSasha Montgomery, a Central Valley High School senior who will attend Whitworth. "The Act Six program has already been such an enriching experience. I’m thankful for the opportunities the program provides to continue my development as a future leader in our community."
Launched in 2002, Act Six scholarships seek to develop urban and community leaders to be agents of transformation on campus and in their home communities.
After today's celebration, scholars will begin an intensive seven-month training program that involves weekly meetings with YMCA Act Six staff, retreats and campus visits.
Following is a list of this year’s Act Six recipients:
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY (CADRE SEVEN)
Spokane-Area Students
Siniva Areta, Joel E. Ferris High School
Kathy Au, John R. Rogers High School
Henadz Krukovich, John R. Rogers High School
Jennifer Phan, Gonzaga Preparatory School
Seattle-Tacoma Students
Loren Carrillo, Lincoln High School
Hawa Elias, Federal Way Senior High School
Joseph Jerome, Foster High School
Eloisa Serrano, Todd Beamer High School
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY (CADRE THIRTEEN)
Spokane-Area Students
Jeff Louissaint, Joel E. Ferris High School
RaSasha Montgomery, Central Valley High School
Anthony Rice, West Valley High School
Bao Tran, John R. Rogers High School
Seattle-Tacoma Students
Samantha Ayala, Highline Big Picture High School
Essance King, Seattle Urban Academy
Noah McDonald, Puyallup Senior High School
Anna Rodriguez, Federal Way Senior High School
Alejandra Silva-Avendano, Foster High School