Scholarships awarded in Nethercutt citizenship contest

The first Nethercutt Foundation Citizenship Tournament took place at Spokane Falls Community College on Saturday.

The tournament tests students’ knowledge of U.S. history and civic responsibilities.

Forty semifinalists in fourth, eighth and 12th grades competed for scholarships.

Senior Joshua Ross, of Central Valley High School, won a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C., with former U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt to meet with federal lawmakers and members of the national media.

Ross plans to study mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University.

The eighth-grade winner, Jasleen Bains of Chase Middle School, won a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to Olympia with Nethercutt that will include a tour of the governor’s mansion with first lady Trudi Inslee.

Hannah Agwunobi, a fourth-grader at St. George’s School, won first place in her age group and will receive a $1,500 scholarship and will spend a day with Nethercutt meeting with local civic leaders.

The scholarships for the eighth- and fourth-grade winners will be held in a trust until the students are ready to go to college.

The George Nethercutt Foundation was established in 1997 to help Americans, especially students, learn more about the U.S. government. The foundation plans for the citizenship tournament to be an annual event.