For the Reporter

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), Dairy Farmers of Washington, and Les Schwab Tires have announced the third annual Smart Choices College Scholarship.

The scholarship recognizes one female and one male high school student for their achievements in athletics/activities, the community, and the classroom. Selected recipients will receive a $5,000 college scholarship that will be presented to them at the WIAA Hall of Fame Banquet held at the Renton Pavilion Event Center in May.

Beginning last year, the Dairy Farmers of Washington and Les Schwab Tires have teamed up to raise an additional $8,000 in Smart Choices scholarship money for the remaining four finalist from each gender. Each of the eight finalists will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

“The generosity the Dairy Farmers of Washington and Les Schwab Tires display by increasing the scholarship money is incredible,” WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese said. “The Association receives applications from many deserving students and the more students and WIAA member schools that can be recognized with this great initiative, the better.”

Applicants have until April 1 to submit their applications. In addition to a series of background questions, each applicant will be required to write an essay or provide a personal statement video about “How you plan to use your education to benefit others.”

The judging criteria is based on 35 percent athletic/activity excellence, 35 percent academic achievement, 15 percent leadership, 10 percent citizenship/community service, and five percent on originality/creativity of the student’s essay or video.

The application for the Smart Choices Scholarship Fund is available online at www.wiaa.com/smartchoices.

Representatives of the WIAA, Dairy Farmers of Washington and Les Schwab Tires determine the final scholarship awards.

Out of nearly 400 applications in 2014, Drew Wallen of Auburn Riverside, currently attending Central Washington University and Jenna Moser of Colfax, currently enrolled at the University of Washington were selected as the winning recipients in 2014.