Olympia School District (OSD) Superintendent Patrick Murphy showcased students who excelled in their respective fields at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Two seniors and a sixth grader from the district excelled in auto racing, scientific research and essay writing.
Murphy recognized Emy Kissick, a senior at Avanti High School, who is the first female to earn a scholarship from Mazda's Factory Club Racing Team, bagged the $50,000 award after winning a racing shootout.
A news release detailing Kissick’s victory stated that only two scholarships were planned, but a surprise decision was made to award a third scholarship at the last minute after an incredibly close competition.
“Despite not coming from a racing family, Emy developed a passion for cars and mechanics through her dad's workshop. Her love for racing grew after her first track experience, earning her a racing license in 2023,” a district’s social media post stated.
Emy and the other two awardees received the scholarship money, including a full arrive-and-drive season in the Spec MX-5 race car for 2025.
Additional benefits include Mazda’s extensive grassroots motorsports support, expenses for entry fees, consumables, travel and a damage budget fully covered.
OSD wrote that Kissick plans to take a gap year to further her racing goals and pursue a career with Mazda Motorsports, focusing on racing for the 2025 season.
Murphy also mentioned Kevin Shen, an Olympia High School senior, for being one of the top 300 scholars due to his scholarly research at the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS).
Shen’s project is entitled “Taming the Oblique Wing: Improving Fuel Efficiency by Developing and Flight Testing an Oblique Wing Aircraft Utilizing a Novel Control Method”.
“Every year, the Society for Science Regeneron recognizes the top 300 scholars in the United States of America, and the Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation's oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the competition has been going on for over 100 years, and it provides students with a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and discoveries of young scientists, who bring a fresh perspective to significant global challenges.
“If you actually (go) through this list of all of these young scientists across the country, what an impressive group, and how cool that we have one right here in the Olympia School District,” Murphy said.
This year, the 300 scholars hail from 200 American and international high schools and homeschools in 33 states, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Malaysia and Switzerland.
Murphy lauded Koral Thorpe, a sixth grader from the Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), who wrote an essay that earned the award for the 2024 Mayor for the Day Essay Contest.
“Her essay is about serving those that have been historically underserved in our community,” Murphy said.
Thorpe was "sworn in" and shadowed Mayor Dontae Payne, acting as the City of Olympia Mayor for the Day on Dec. 13, 2024.
“The Mayor for the Day Essay Contest is a civic engagement program focused on engaging and educating local youth on the workings of municipal government in a fun and meaningful way,” a City of Olympia’s social media post stated.
Thorpe was recognized at a City Council meeting in October 2024.
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