In a surprise classroom presentation, three Lake Washington High School seniors were awarded a Lily Waluconis Memorial Scholarship each in the amount of $500. Previously each of the students had submitted an application in a competitive process and were chosen on the basis of their high academic performance and a commitment to social justice.

The three scholars bring a diversity of experience, academic achievement and high aspiration. Andrea Navarre, who will be attending Gonzaga University, hopes to pursue a nursing degree. She hopes to “one day work on an oncology unit in a hospital, helping to save lives”.

Tania Santiago plans to attend UW Cascade and work towards a degree in math and education with the goal of becoming a secondary school educator. She has volunteered many hours at Rose Hill Elementary School mentoring ESL students. About teaching she says, “I see myself helping young children, not only educationally but also by encouragement.”

Claire Wilson is headed to Scripps Women’s College and hopes to study both international relations and Spanish. She hopes to one day work either for the state department or the United Nations. Claire believes that social justice is “a global perspective proving that injustice to one is injustice to all.”

The Lily Waluconis Memorial Scholarship originally planned to give one scholarship per year, has instead granted 10 scholarships of $500 each over the last four years. Jake Waluconis, one of the trustees of the fund stated, “ our family has decided that giving one scholarship a year wasn’t enough especially in these days of rising tuition costs.” The scholarship honors the memory of Lily Waluconis who graduated at the top of her class at Lake Washington High School and Carleton College. Lily combined scholarship with a love of humanity and devotion to justice. The scholarships pay tribute to young scholars who believe they can help build a better and more humane world.