BY KAREN BOSSICK

A Sun Valley Community School senior has been named one of two Idahoans to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship.

Maria Mendoza is one of 100 graduating high school seniors throughout the country who will receive up to $55,000 annually to cover costs associated with their undergraduate education.

Mendoza plans to study neuroscience at Swarthmore College, in Swarthmore, Pa.

She was chosen out of more than 5,300 applicants residing in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Scholars are selected based on their academic ability, persistence, leadership and financial need.

“Maria is an exemplary student. But beyond that, she is the sort of community member who leaves the community better than she found it," said Head of School Ben Pettit. "She has made a real difference here at SVCS and in the larger Wood River Valley. From her performance in the classroom to her environmental stewardship advocacy to her community service work, she has certainly earned this award."

Jack Kent Cooke was a teenage Encyclopedia salesman who became partner In a network of radio stations and newspapers In Canada. After failing at starting a major league baseball team In Toronto and being turned down to own a TV station In that city, he moved to the United States where he owned the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders), the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Wolves soccer team and the Toronto Maple Leaves.

His foundation Is dedicated to advancing the education of "exceptionally promising students" who have financial need.