Kirkland resident Sarah Smith was among 45 recipients to recently win a scholarship from BECU. Each recipient was awarded a $2,500 BECU Foundation Scholarship for the 2012-2013 school year.

As part of BECU’s commitment to education and giving back to the communities it serves, BECU Foundation scholarships reward exceptional community service by graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students.

Smith, who recently graduated from Juanita High School and plans to attend Carroll College in the fall, is a volunteer with Phoenix Rising Sanctuary. The nonprofit horse rescue brings girls and rescue horses together for mutual benefits. Smith said volunteering for Rising Sanctuary was a meaningful experience that changed her life for the better.

After three years and more than 800 hours of volunteer work, Smith became a more confident, compassionate, hard working, and determined young woman with a positive sense of who she is. Her experiences have made her determined to pursue an education that will allow her to be involved in Equine Assisted Therapy.

Scholarship recipients were selected by a volunteer selection committee of local business, educational and non-profit leaders based on a combination of strong dedication to community service, leadership and academics.

The Foundation received more than 600 scholarship applications from BECU student members. Applicants were required to submit hours of community service, grade point, transcripts and letters of recommendation, as well as essays describing their most meaningful service experiences.