White River High School senior Brandon Skyles was recently named one of the 2009 Washington Scholars.

The Washington Scholars program recognizes the accomplishments of three high school seniors from each of the state’s 49 legislative districts. Students receive state scholarships for up to four years of public resident undergraduate tuition and fees. The scholarships can be used at any Washington public or independent college or university.

High school principals nominate the top 1 percent of their school’s graduating senior class on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and community service. A committee, composed of high school principals and college admissions staff, selects the top four students in each legislative district, naming three as scholars and one as a scholar alternate.

Skyles, who lives between Bonney Lake and Buckley, was selected from the 31st Legislative district.

Skyles, who maintains a 4.0 grade-point average and scored 2,120 on his SAT test, plans to study economics at the University of Washington. He is the son of Angela and Gregory Skyles.

White River High classmate Luke Allpress was selected as an alternate, if one of the award winners in the same legislative district declines or forfeits within one year, Allpress will be eligible to receive this award too. He is the son of Ann-Marie and Kevin Allpress.

Having both earn distinction for the prestigious honor has been the talk of the school.

“To our knowledge these are the only two we’ve had,” White River High Career Information Specialist Carol Pring said of the Washington Scholar Award. “The first ones.”