Three students from Catalina Foothills High School are among 17 Arizona high school seniors who will attend one of the state's universities on a Flinn Scholarship.
The Flinn Foundation launched the scholarship program in 1986, paying for four years of study at an Arizona university as well as offering opportunities for academic travel and faculty mentorship.
This is only the second time in 24 years that the incoming Flinn Scholar class has fewer than 20 students. Organizers say several students declined the offer, expressing concern about the state's commitment to education given recent cuts to higher education by state lawmakers.
Among other criteria, students had to rank in the top 5 percent of the graduating class and carry a 3.5 minimum grade-point average. Applicants also had to demonstrate leadership ability, submit three essays and take part in two personal interviews.
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Winning students were selected from high schools across Arizona, from Patagonia to Yuma to Flagstaff.
The three Catalina Foothills students are:
• Laurel Gray, an Advanced Placement Scholar, served as captain of the varsity swim team, a translator at a Nogales clinic and was a high-school ambassador for middle-school students.
• Emma Kleiner, a National Merit Scholar, served as president of the speech and debate team, was an intern for former Gov. Janet Napolitano and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and was a campus liaison for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
• Ravi Ram, an AP Scholar with distinction, was co-captain of the varsity tennis team, a state champion on the Science Olympiad team, secretary of the speech and debate team and a teen columnist for the Tucson Citizen.
