Semifinalists for 2017-18 ACCESS Scholarships have been selected by the Business Education Committee of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Twelve, eighth-grade students and eight high school seniors qualified for the second round of the process, which includes face-to-face interviews with committee members.
Nearly 100 student applications were received. Semifinalists were chosen after a review of their applications and essay questions by committee members.
This year’s eighth grade semifinalists include Samuel King, Miranda Rojas, Max Nuss, Allison Srp, Miriam Rojas, Luke Weaver, Iris Rodriguez, Lynsey McMahon, Natali Hernandez, Hanna Case, Megan Schultz and Reana Schmitt.
Twelfth grade semifinalists are Mitchell Mayer, Tara Watkins, Paiton Schwab, Elijah Hirst, Emily Sayles, Shane DeSilva, Grace Einck and Tayha Rogne.
Eighth grade students meet with committee members for their interviews on Jan. 23 and seniors on Jan. 24.
Final presentations are scheduled for Feb. 12-13.
Awards, ranging from $200-$1,500, will be presented to the 10 finalists at the ACCESS Scholarship Banquet, March 4 at the Hormel Historic Home.
The scholarship was established in 1988 and since that time the program has awarded more than $197,000 in scholarships to Austin area students. Scholarship awards are made possible from the financial support of sponsoring Chamber business members, including: Accentra Credit Union, Austin Daily Herald, Austin Oral Surgery, Bollingberg Chiropractic, Bremer Bank, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Diamond Ridge Printing, Family Eye Care Center, Fawver Agency, First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Games People Play, Greg Meyer State Farm Insurance, Heartman Insurance, Hill, Larson & Walth, P.A., Home Federal Savings Bank, Hormel Foods Corporation, Hormel Historic Home, Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP, IBI Data, Jim’s Market Place Foods, The Joseph Company, King Maintenance, Inc., Kiwanis Early Risers, Mayer Funeral Home, Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea & Austin, Medicap Pharmacy, Overby Orthodontics, Palmer Bus Service, Potach & Mitchell Dental Clinic, Quality Pork Processors, Inc., Simplified Technology Solutions, Sterling State Bank, US Bank, Wealth Management Solutions, and Worlein Funeral Home.
