ARLINGTON — Out of 27 nominees from Arlington and four nominees from Darrington, the Arlington Masonic Lodge 129 had to choose two students from each school district to receive its student achievement awards and scholarships on April 27.

Boyd McPherson, worshipful master of the lodge, recognized all of the more than 30 students for their scholastic accomplishments. He acknowledged that the Masons faced a tough decision in narrowing their financial awardees down to just one boy and one girl from the junior class of each school district, due to the excellence of all the scholarship applicants.

Ultimately, Dana Canaria and Colton McCoy were chosen from Arlington High School, while Andrew Forrest and Sarrah Peterson were selected from Darrington High School.

Both Canaria and McCoy are cadets in the AHS Air Force JROTC. Canaria has been a member for three years of the Respect Team and one year on the Recycle Team. She’s played two years of varsity soccer and three years on the select soccer team, including as captain, as well as one year on the girls junior varsity golf team. McCoy has served three years each on the unarmed Drill Team and Civil Air Patrol, the latter of which has included a stint as flight commander. He’s also put in a year on track and field.

“I’m full of love for this community,” said McCoy, who commutes from Lake Stevens. “I want to thank the JROTC, because without that program, I wouldn’t be the person I am. I wish I lived in Arlington.”

AHS Principal Brian Beckley praised the parents in attendance for the role they played in the student nominees’ academic successes, before presenting AHS English teacher Erik Heinz with the lodge’s educator of the year award. Beckley credited Heinz with establishing the school’s video production department, blending the arts and sciences in ways that engage students’ minds, and balancing these tasks with a demanding coaching schedule.