Orcas High School senior Sofie Thixton has been named a Washington Scholar Alternate.

Only four students from each of the state’s legislative districts are selected. Three are Washington Scholars and one is the Alternate.  The students are all in the top 1 percent of their graduating class.

In former years this recognition came with a large scholarship for free tuition at any school in the state of Washington up to the cost of tuition at the University of Washington.  In the budget downturn, the money does not exist for last year or this year’s scholars.

If one of the three did not choose to attend a school in Washington, the alternate received the scholarship. Although there is no longer a scholarship there is still the recognition for such an achievement.

The other three chosen from the 40th legislative district are all from Bellingham schools.

For more info, visit http://www.hecb.wa.gov/PayingforCollege/StateAid/WashingtonScholars.