Eight North Beach students received scholarship awards and thousands of dollars were raised to support student achievement May 16 at the 28th annual “Reach for the Stars” Ocean Shores Kiwanis Scholarship Auction and Awards Banquet.
“Every year I say, ‘The talent has got to drop off. It just can’t continue.’ But every year, there is more and more talent, and this year we really had some diverse talent,” said Scott Sage, the longtime master of ceremonies and former School Board member. ‘We have musicians, athletes and some all-around fine students.”
All eight first had to speak at the annual Kiwanis luncheon before participating in the auction and awards ceremony before several hundred people at the Convention Center banquet.
“We are really proud of this group,” Sage said.
The students receiving scholarships were:
Tawni Blankenship: Honor roll three years; varsity track three years, MVP of the team, state champion in pole vault and record-holder; Gymnasitcs, power-lifting and cheeleading. (Kiwanis Athletic Achievement Award)
Nolan Charley: Honor roll three years, 3.03 GPA, varsity football four years, varsity baseball and basketball; Captain for football two years and baseball two years. (Kiwanis Achievement Award)
Josh Holman: Running Start at Grays Harbor College, 3.13 GPA, High School Band, drum major, sound technician and engineer, librarian and secretary; ASB sound technician; Knowledge Bowl two years and cross-country. (Kiwanis Achievement Award)
Joyce Hoy: Cumulative GPA of 3.958 while attending Grays Harbor College in Running Start for her junior and senior years. National Honor Society, Phi-Beta Kappa Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, ,Teens Against Destructive Decisions, Pep Band, Concert Band, Yearbook editor, Knowledge Bowl, cross-country and golf. (Richard McMorran Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship, $3,000)
Colin Klemetson: Cumulative GPA of 3.985 while attending Grays Harbor College in Running Start; class Salutatorian for 2018, Knowledge Bowl three years (captain), Pep Band, Yearbook editor, varsity golf (academic all-league). (Richard McMorran Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship, $3,000)
Ben Poplin: Running Start at Grays Harbor College, member National Honor Society, 3.71 GPA, varsity football and basketball four years, track and baseball; academic all-league in football and basketball. (Kiwanis Athletic Achievement Award)
Kris Shepard: Running start at Grays Harbor College, 3.1 GPA, Knowledge Bowl, 7th Street musical, Library volunteer. (Kiwanis Achievement Award).
Rodney Washington: Honor roll and member of National Honor Society; Varsity basketball, (captain and academic all-league) varsity track, varsity football, school high jump record of 6-foot-5. (Kiwanis Athletic Achievement Award).
City Council member and Kiwanis treasurer Diane Solem was credited by Cathey Peterson, group president, for taking over as auction chair this year. LeRoy Tipton returned as the popular event auctioneer.
