Monroe, WA – Pacific Lutheran University has awarded Jessica Cichanski of Monroe High School a President's Scholarship, one of the top academic and leadership scholarships offered by PLU.

Nearly 500 qualified applicants applied for the scholarships this year, and the standards are high. Students must have a 3.8+ GPA or 1250+ SAT score (critical reading and math only) or 28+ ACT score to be eligible to apply. This award is worth $24,000 per year or more than half of the school’s annual tuition.

“I think that it was the small school aspect that originally drew me to PLU,” said Cichanski. While she has family that has attended the school, she knew the moment she walked on campus that “this is my school.”

According to the school, Cichanski was selected for the scholarship based on her academic achievements, co-curricular involvement, service and leadership, as well as her potential to affect positive change and leadership in the life of the university.

She plans on studying Business at PLU. In high school she took Marketing, and this year will be going to nationals with her DECA team. DECA is a club that fosters careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. “It’s my outlet and my passion, so it’s what I’d like to do for my future,” she explained

Cichanski said that Monroe Public Schools and the ability to push herself and take college classes through MHS have prepared her well for creating her own path through college. “I will miss the relationships I have built there, and the teachers,” noted Cichanski. “I will miss the closeness of seeing them every day and the way they’ve helped me. The community feeling of MHS is almost like a family.”

As a President’s Scholar, Cichanski is also eligible for one of ten $29,000 per year Harstad Founder's Scholarships or one of five full-tuition Regents' Scholarships, which she has interviewed for and expects to find out about soon.