Some of the seniors who gathered Friday at Seattle’s Chief Sealth International High School auditorium thought the mystery assembly had been called because they had broken the rules.
Were they ever in for a surprise.
The anxiety filled seniors learned that each and every one of them had been awarded a one-year scholarship to South Seattle Community College (SCCC).
The scholarships are given regardless of the senior’s grade point average or their test scores.
SSCC spokeswoman Candace Oehler said this 13th Year Promise Scholarship is the first of its kind in Washington State.
Many of the graduating seniors had their eye on a college career, but had no idea how that would be funded. They were looking at student loans and part time jobs when the scholarship landed in their laps. The Seattle Times said tuition for one year at SSCC runs $2,628.
Chief Sealth Principal John Boyd said the scholarships were an opportunity for the seniors. Tuition rates in Washington State are on the rise due to funding cuts.
A multi-cultural high school, Chief Sealth celebrates innovation and individuality and helps students to learn in a dynamic environment.
Their website says that the students “find expression in a wide range of offerings including our mariachi band, world language classes, including Arabic, Spanish, Japanese and mandarin Chinese.”
When the students graduate in June from 2011 from Chief Sealth High School, they can continue their education free of charge for one year thanks to the program funded through the South Seattle Community College Foundation, a group of community and business leaders who donate to the program.
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