The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board has named four Central Kitsap School District students as Washington Scholars for 2011, including one alternate:

The Washington Scholars program recognizes the accomplishments of high school seniors from each of the state’s 49 legislative districts. The program is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in cooperation with the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals.

High school principals nominate the top one percent of their graduating senior classes on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and community service. A selection committee, comprising representatives from public and private high schools, state educational agencies, and public and private four-year colleges and universities, then winnows the list. The three highest-scoring candidates in each legislative district are named Washington Scholars. The fourth-ranked candidate is designated the Washington Scholar Alternate.

For nearly 20 years, the Washington Scholar with the highest final score in each legislative district has received a monetary scholarship for up to four years of tuition and fees at any public or independent college or university in Washington. However, this year’s scholarships will likely not be funded in the 2011-13 state biennial budget due to the severe economic conditions affecting all state expenditures.

(Authors Note: Congratulations to these students for all of their hard work and commitment to educational excellence. It’s highly unfortunate that current State budget shortfalls may preclude them from receiving any monetary reward for their efforts, especially if the possibility of those funds were promoted as being available at the start of the academic year. Nonetheless, kudos to these amazing students for achieving Washington Scholar status)