Woodinville Alum, Area Students Receive College Scholarships

Editor's note: The following is from a news release by the Association of Washington Business Institute.

OLYMPIA — The Association of Washington Business Institute has named Natalie Riel of Spokane Valley’s Central Valley High School the top recipient of the 2012 Don C. Brunell Scholarship for Future Business Leaders. Riel will graduate in June and plans to attend the University of Washington where she will major in international relations and business.

In addition to Riel, seven other students will receive scholarships this year, including: 

• Courtney Widhalm: Graduate of Riverside Christian School in Yakima, now attending Colorado School of Mines. 
• Dominique Bitners: Mercer Island High School graduate, now attending the University of Washington. 
• Kenny Raymond: A Woodinville High School graduate, now attending the University of Washington. 
• Bryce Remington: Graduate of The Overlake School in Redmond, now attending the University of Michigan. 
• Mackenzie Young: Graduate of Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Ore., now attending Oregon State University. 
• Gregory Lewis: Bellingham High School graduate, now attending Gonzaga University. 
• Carson Carruth: Elma High School graduate, now attending Grays Harbor Community College.

The AWB Institute, a nonprofit affiliate of the Association of Washington Business, administers the annual scholarship program, which seeks to inspire and aid the next generation of business leaders.

A total of $7,600 was awarded to students who applied for the 2012 scholarship. The average GPA of the applicants was 3.704, and their areas of study included chemical and biological engineering, business and economics, agriculture business management, business administration, and international business and psychology.

“This is a bright, ambitious group of young people, and I’m pleased that we can help them take the next step in their education,” said Don Brunell, president of AWB and the scholarship’s namesake. 

About the AWB Institute 
Founded in 2001 as an affiliate of the Association of Washington Business, the AWB Institute focuses on an array of human resource and employment issues, including workforce development and education, workplace safety, environmental compliance and competitiveness. The Institute advocates for public policy positions at the state and federal levels and develops best practices for Washington employers and members of AWB. The Institute also partners with the public sector employment and training system and public schools on partnerships to expose the current workforce, students and educators to the world of work. The Institute received recognition from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization in January of 2003.

About the Association of Washington Business 
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,000 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.