Chris Frederick, son of Paula and Capt. Dan Frederick, took first place and a $2,000 scholarship in the recent 2009 Puget Sound Energy Armed Forces Festival Ambassador Program.

“I’m astounded,” said Chris, a Klahowya Secondary School student. “It will take a little while to realize that I won it. I thought I might place third or fourth.”

“We’re very proud and happy for him,” said Dan Frederick, adding his son has plans to attend Tulane University and study chemistry.

His entry was almost an afterthought and came about only when his mother saw an advertisement that said the scholarship contest was being extended to apply and convinced him to enter.

“It was completely last minute,” said Chris, who filled out the entry form that was then hand-delivered to the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce office.

“But all his hard work paid off,” Paula added.

The event, hosted April 29, took place at Naval Undersea Museum Keyport. The contest had each student compete by engaging in a feature speech to the audience that was based on an interview with either a military veteran or someone who was born in another country and chose to become an American citizen.

There also was an impromptu question and answer session. Selections were based on academics, extracurricular activities, community involvement, letters of recommendation and an essay entitled, “What Freedom Means To Me.”

Chris will serve in the ambassador role for the city throughout the upcoming 61st annual Armed Forces Festival, culminating with the parade on at 10 a.m., May 16, in downtown Bremerton.

Five students won scholarships during the 2009 Armed Forces Festival Ambassadors competition, the first event of the annual celebration. Gwen Daugs, of Bremerton High School, was awarded $1,500 as well as the best essay honor; Josh Klatman of South Kitsap High School, $1,250; Cassandra Hyre of Bremerton, $1,000 and the most tickets redeemed award; and Tim Sargent of Bremerton High School, $750.