Edmonds-Woodway High School students Katarina Nguyen and Robert Willcock are among the winners of VFW Post #8870’s newly established Freedom Scholarship.

According to the VFW Post’s news release, 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 $1,000 scholarships were awarded to two students each from the Edmonds and Mukilteo school districts.

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 the U.S. Constitution establishes and maintains a culture of freedom.

During her four years of high school, Nguyen maintained a 4.0 GPA and established an impressive record of involvement in school activities, community service, and varsity sports. She has held leadership positions and has devoted countless volunteer hours in a variety of school and community organizations. She is also a past winner of Post 8870’s Voice of Democracy audio essay contest.

Willcock has received numerous awards for his participation in varsity football and wrestling. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered his time to tutor fellow students and provide services to a variety of Edmonds youth organizations. He plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

Jay Bennett of Kamiak High School and Madison Azim of Mariner High were the winners from the Mukiteo School District.

In addition to being honored during their schools’ academic recognition programs, the four scholarship winners will be publicly recognized at the Post’s July meeting, at which tine will be reading their Freedom Scholarship essays.

— Submitted by Fred Apgar