Annual scholarship winners announced

The Friends of the Willapa Wildlife Refuge announce the winners of their annual scholarship. This year's recipients are Benjamin Bradlee, a 2017 graduate of Ilwaco High School and Katherine Johnson, graduating from Wahkiakum High School.

Both students have similar backgrounds in their school history. Each has maintained high

grades throughout their four year programs with college level courses as part of their academic

work. Both found time to participate in school activities and clubs.

Ben was president of his school's robotics and drama clubs as well as playing in several school bands. In his senior year he served as Activities Chairperson for the Associated Student Body. He also was a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams. In September, Ben will enter Western Washington University in Bellingham to begin his major in environmental science.

Katie has volunteered for many different activities in her community including Doernbecher

Kids Making Miracles and is a Search and Rescue volunteer. At school she was an active Key Club member and has mentored at several youth sport camps. Her school sports choice was volley ball. To help prepare her for a career as a wildlife biologist she worked in the Youth Conservation Corps at Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge in the summer of 2015. During 2016 and 2017 she job shadowed two wildlife biologists to gain more firsthand experience in her future career choice. Katie will begin her college career at the University of Washington.

Each February the Friends invite graduating high school seniors in Pacific and Wahkiakum

counties to apply for its annual scholarship of $1,500. This year there was a record number of

eight excellent candidates. Students must be planning a major which could lead to a career in

wildlife management, environmental education or other outdoor studies. More information is

available on the Friends of Willapa Wildlife Refuge website.