Recipients of Regent Scholarships named

President V. Lane Rawlins announced to the Board of Regents today that more than 480 high school seniors from across the state have received notification of their eligibility for Regents Scholarships at Washington State University.
Twenty-five students were named Distinguished Regents Scholars, qualifying them for scholarships worth up to $48,000 over four years. Other students received awards ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 over two years.
“These are exceptional students. They combine their academic talents with tremendous contributions as leaders in their high schools and their communities,” said Rawlins. “They are National Merit Scholars, student body presidents, high school senators, musicians, varsity athletes and community volunteers…and they represent the future leadership of our state. The Regents Scholars Program acknowledges the accomplishments of these outstanding students and their importance to our state’s future, and helps keep them in the state of Washington for their college education.”
Each principal from eligible Washington high schools last spring was invited to nominate two top high school juniors. More than 280 high schools nominated students. Student nominees were evaluated and selected through the Regents Scholarship selection process based on academic strengths and interests, leadership skills and extracurricular and community involvement. Each student must have a minimum 3.8 grade point average.
“We’re grateful for the continued generosity of our alumni and friends who makes it possible to provide opportunities, such as the Regents Scholars Awards, to students in the state of Washington,” Rawlins said.
The top 25 scholars are Jill Danielle Bickelhaupt of Waitsburg; Lizeth Chiprez, Sunnyside; Katie Corder, St. John; Kimberly Shaina Court, Olympia; Lindsay Diane Croft, Ellensburg; Tyler Doherty, Walla Walla; Colin Russell Heye, Kenmore; Quynh Phuong Le, Richland; Olga Sergeyevna Lizunova, Kent; Annie Martin, Issaquah; Shannon Elizabeth McAfee, Clinton; Ainsley Rose Nix, Blaine; Kyle David Ryan, Seabeck; Austin Shelton, Tacoma; Svetlana G. Stadnik, Walla Walla; Michael Stobie, Yakima; Keith A. Sullivan, LaCrosse; Joseph Justin Theisen, Nine Mile Falls; Katherine Elizabeth Tremayne, Snohomish; Stephanie Grace Underhill, Spokane; Kevin Michael Walker, Toppenish; Thomas Lloyd Westphal, Richland; Cody Clayton Wyles, Tieton; Sabrina Zearott, Asotin; and Angela Jin Zhang, Pasco.
Each of the Distinguished Regents Scholars’ high schools will receive a plaque with the distinguished scholars’ name to recognize the school’s contributions to the student’s education.
The call for nominations for the Class of 2006 Regents Scholars will begin in