Kiwanis award six scholarships to local students

Thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to six North Beach High School seniors as a crowd of about 250 people raised funds and dined on prime rib at the 27th annual Kiwanis Club of Ocean Shores Scholarship Auction and Awards Banquet on May 17.

“The primary purpose of this club is to improve the quality of life for children and families in our community,” said Kiwanis president Cathey Peterson in opening remarks.

In addition to the scholarships, the Kiwanis during the past year “have also had the honor of supporting the Ocean Shores Library, Lantern Lunches, the Ocean Shores Food Bank, Grays Harbor Youth Works and Anchor Bank school supply drive,” Peterson noted.

Scholarship chairman and School Board member Scott Sage noted that all of the students honored this year have come through the North Beach school system since elementary school in Ocean Shores.

“They are products of our school district, and I think that speaks very well,” Sage said.

Sage presented awards to the following students:

• Kiwanis Achievement Award of a $2,000 scholarship to Emily Deal, whose career goal is to become a nurse. Honor roll all four years, cumulative GPA of 3.817, salutatorian of the Class of 2017, also 3-year National Honor Society, symphonic band, pep band and cheerleading.

• Kiwanis Achievement Award of $2,000 to Ryan Turner, whose career goal is to become a high school teacher and coach. Honor roll all four years, cumulative GPA of 3.2. Basketball, golf, football.

• Kiwanis Achievement Award of $2,000 to Olivia Harnagy. Honor roll all four years, cumulative GPA of 3.328, Running Start student at Grays Harbor College. cross country, track, powerlifting, cheerleading, Teens Against Destructive Decisions, ASB communications representative and actress.

• Bruce Wolgemuth Memorial Leadership Scholarship of $2,500 to Reilly Moore. Honor roll all four years, cumulative GPA of 3.4. Captain of the basketball, volleyball and track teams, ASB communications rep and Teens Against Destructive Decisions. Lauded for her leadership skills.

• Richard McMorran Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship of $3,000 to Seth Bridge. Cumulative GPA of 4.0, one of the valedictorians of the Class of 2017. Four-year varsity football (All-League and All-State this past year); wrestling (state champion), reigning state champion in discus; Current ASB president, National Honor Society three years.

• Richard McMorran Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship of $3,000 to Christopher You. Cumulative GPA of 4.0, also a valedictorian of the Class of 2017. National Honor Society three years, ASB vice president, Teens Against Destructive Decisions, FBLA, Knowledge Bowl, golf four years, golf captain, football and basketball.