BREMERTON — The 2016 ambassador finalists for the Armed Forces Festival have been named, including Andrea Hjorten and Katheryn Racca from Bremerton High School.
The awardees include Grace deMeurisse from North Kitsap High School, in first place; Alissa Campuano from Olympic High School, in second place and for best essay; Hjorten in third place; Kendelyn Bone from South Kitsap High School in fourth place; and Racca in fifth place.
The ambassador scholarships are awarded by the Bremerton Central Lions Charitable Foundation and the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, and enables finalists to participate in the 68th annual Armed Forces Festival in Bremerton, honoring friends and family serving in the military.
The Ambassador Program started out as an Armed Forces Festival Queens Pageant before being changed in 2002 so the scholarships would be available to male and female applicants. Since then, the program has provided scholarships to 63 young adults from the Kitsap County area, totaling more than $40,000 in the past nine years.
Criteria requires applicants to reside in Kitsap County; be between ages 16 and 20; be a high school graduate or graduating senior, college student or career person; have at least a 2.5 cumulative high school grade point average; be of good moral character; and have not been convicted of any crime.
To apply, participants needed to fill out an application and submit it along with three letters of recommendation, a copy of their high school transcript and a short essay entitled, “What freedom means to me.” Applications were due Jan. 15.
Finalists enjoy many activities for self-improvement and community service leading up to two judged events: the personal interview and the final program. The Bremerton Chamber of Commerce provided clothing to wear at various functions at no cost to the finalists.
The final event of the Ambassadors Program was held at the beginning of May to kick off the festival.
The scholarships awarded at for $1,500 for first place; $1,000 for second place; $750 for third place; $500 for fourth place; $250 for fifth place; and $100 for best essay.
All finalists win self-confidence, public speaking and social skills; introductions to civic, business and political leaders; and other skills necessary for success in future endeavors.
