ARLINGTON — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1561 in Arlington has awarded four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Arlington and Lake Stevens. The VFW post also awarded an achievement medal and certificate to one of the top Air Force Junior ROTC cadets in Arlington.
These young people were selected from numerous applications by VFW 1561 Post Commander Bill Morse, Senior Vice Commander Mike Blue and Service Officer Roger Kilen, after personal interviews with each finalist.
$1,000 scholarships:
Arlington High School senior Kendra Bowers, whose grandfather was a Korean War veteran, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and as a three-year National Honor Society member. An AHS band member who was active in the Link Crew and her church worship team, she’s interested in sports medicine and will attend Liberty University to study nursing.
Lake Stevens High School senior Brittany Millan, whose grandparents were World War II and Korean War veterans, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and as a National Honor Society treasurer. An LSHS varsity tennis captain, class senator and facilitator for the school’s “day of respect,” she will attend the University of Washington to study either engineering or pre-med. She’s also served as a Little Vikings soccer camp leader, an elementary school art and music program leader, and leader at her vacation Bible school.
AHS senior Jacob Aylesworth, whose grandfather was a Korean War veteran, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and as a National Honor Society member. An AHS marching band, wind ensemble and jazz band member, he was selected to perform in this summer’s Olympic band in China and will attend the University of Washington to study engineering. He’s also collected for the food bank for four years, and has built fences and cut and split wood for those with disabilities.
AHS senior Marcus Dolan, whose grandfather was a Korean War veteran, graduated with a 3.9 GPA and as a three-year National Honor Society member, as well as a four-year honor roll member.
He accumulated four years as a letterman in track, three years in football and two years in wrestling, and will attend Brigham Young University in Hawaii to study sports medicine and rehabilitation. He also achieved an Eagle Scout ranking, built a bridge at Pioneer Elementary, did roadside cleanups for three years, led the Link Crew and was a member of the Respect Team.
AHS Air Force JROTC VFW Achievement Award:
AHS sophomore Rebecca Wadey, whose grandfather was a WWII veteran, began the school year as Delta Flight Commander and was selected for an Air Force leadership course. She has also participated in numerous key events as an Honor Guard member, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and accumulated more than 32 hours of community service in 12 different events.