The future is bright — and partially paid for — for 13 students from across the Seattle region after Amazon surprised them this week with college scholarships as part of its “Amazon Future Engineer” program.
The prizes were handed out during an event at Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery facility in Seattle on Wednesday. The high school students were there under the guise of needing a final interview for their scholarship applications.
The winners represent the Bellevue School District, Lake Washington School District, Seattle Public Schools, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, and University Place School District, and include:
- Alvin Sung, Newport High School, Bellevue School District
- Regina Lin, Newport High School, Bellevue School District
- Fenet Guyassa, Bonney Lake High School, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
- Rane Peterson, Eastlake High School, Lake Washington School District
- Alaris Peterson, Eastlake High School, Lake Washington School District
- Elias Assalif, Chief Sealth High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Kevin Chen, Cleveland STEM High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Israr Rukun, Franklin High school, Seattle Public Schools
- Fardowza Jaama, Franklin High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Imara Wangia, Garfield High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Salsabila Abu, Garfield High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Cameron Fernandes, Lincoln High School, Seattle Public Schools
- Tre Simons, Curtis Senior High School, University Place School District
Students receive up to $40,000 to pursue computer science, engineering or related degrees at the college or university of their choice. Recipients were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including their academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience, future goals, and financial need.
The Seattle-area students were among 17 across Washington state and 400 nationwide that Amazon is awarding scholarships to this year. They will also receive a paid internship offer at Amazon after their freshman year of college.
“By investing in computer science education for students from historically underrepresented and underserved communities, we’re not only empowering them to pursue rewarding careers but also equipping them with skills to drive innovation that will shape a more equitable and sustainable future for generations to come,” Victor Reinoso, global director of education philanthropy at Amazon, said in a news release.
Amazon launched the Future Engineer scholarship program in 2019, and has committed $54 million in scholarships to 1,350 students across the U.S. since it’s inception.
