OLYMPIA – The Washington Association of County Officials has announced the five individuals to receive the 2016/17 Washington Counties Scholarship Fund award.
Both the Washington Association of County Officials and the Washington State Association of Counties administer the scholarship. The scholarship awards five eligible dependents of county employees or elected officials $3,000 annually. To date the organizations have awarded over $205,000 to deserving individuals.
"We are very excited to see individuals from geographically diverse parts of the state win this year," says Washington Association of County Officials Executive Director Scott Blonien, "It is a testament to the hard work and ambition of students throughout the state."
“The parents, teachers, and communities of all our applicants should be very proud of their students’ academic achievement and community involvement,” said Snohomish County Councilmember, Stephanie Wright, current President of the Washington State Association of Counties. “The work that these students have done so far is truly inspiring,” said Wright.
This year's recipients are Jay Bartunek, Grant County; Rory Heywood, Wahkiakum County; Madden Shanks, Island County; Matthew Waldrop, Clallam County and James Whitbread, Jr., Stevens County.
Jay Bartunek is a Moses Lake High School graduate and attended Big Bend Community College. Jay Plans on attending Central Washington University in 2016, with an anticipated professional and creative writing major. Jay is the son of Grant County Court Report Tom Bartunek.
Rory Heywood is a Wahkiakum High School graduate. Rory plans on attending Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas with a planned major in mechanical engineering. Rory is the daughter of Wahkiakum County Court Commissioner Heidi Heywood.
Madden Shanks is a Friday Harbor High School graduate who currently attends Washington State University. In 2016 Madden plans on attending Central Washington University to continue her studies with a planned major in business administration. Madden is the daughter of San Juan County Current Use/DFL Administrator William Shanks.
Matthew Waldrip is a Crescent High School Graduate from Port Angeles, WA. Matthew plans on attending Washington State University with a planned major in physics. Matthew is the son of Clallam County Health and Human Services employee Susan Waldrop.
James Whitbread, Jr. is a current Washington State University student with a major in mathematics. James is the son of Stevens County engineer James Whitbread (Sr.).
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