VFW Post #8870 recently announced the four winners of its Freedom Scholarship program. This marks the second year that these scholarships have been awarded. The scholarship was established to identify and reward deserving graduating seniors who have achieved an outstanding record of academic achievement, leadership, and community service and understand and value the freedom and rights guaranteed to us all by our Constitution. The scholarships, each in the amount of $1000, were awarded to two students residing within the Edmonds Public School District and two deserving seniors residing within the Mukilteo Public School District. In addition to their transcript and a resume, students were asked to write a 500-750 word essay in which they explained the meaning of freedom to them and how our Constitution establishes and maintains a culture of freedom in our country.
Representing the Edmonds School District are Soren Steelquist and Stephanie Lam. During her four years at Edmonds-Woodway High School, Stephanie maintained a 3.8 GPA and established an impressive record of involvement in school activities and community service. She has held leadership positions in the Key Club, Yearbook, Science Club, and German Club. Stephanie has also been a member of the Band for four years and was admitted to the National Honor Society in her sophomore year. She has devoted countless hours of her time in the Edmonds community by volunteering for a variety of Key Club sponsored activities. Stephanie plans on attending the University of
Washington in the fall.
Soren has received numerous awards while participating in Lynnwood High School’s basketball and soccer programs. He played varsity soccer for four years and has served as team Captain for three years. In his senior year, he was elected captain of the varsity basketball team. Soren has been elected to class leadership positions during all four high school years, and has been a member of the National Honor Society since his junior year. He has volunteered considerable time to several Lynwood High School community programs and has served as a soccer referee for the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club. Soren plans to attend the University of San Francisco.
The Mukilteo School District recipients, both of whom attended Kamiak High School, are Brent Haub and Jack Anderson. Brent maintained a 3.76 GPA while participating in varsity sports and playing in the school orchestra. He played varsity baseball and ran varsity cross country. Among the organizations to which he devoted many hours as a volunteer are Hugs for Ghana, St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, and Pitch in for Cuba. Brent has also been a member of the Chess Club and worked behind the scenes for the school’s drama productions, working on stage craft and set building. Brent has been awarded a Chapman University Chancellor Scholarship, the California school at which he will attend.
While pursuing a rigorous academic program, Jack Anderson was also a participant in Kamiak’s athletic program. He ran on the varsity cross country team and played varsity lacrosse. During his high school years, Jack was also a member of the school’s Chess and Spanish clubs. He will attend the University of Arizona in the fall.
In addition to being recognized at their school’s academic recognition programs, the four scholarship winners will be publicly recognized at the Post’s July meeting and will be reading their Freedom Scholarship essays to our members.