WASHINGTON, D.C. — The board of directors of the Maine State Society of Washington D.C. Foundation has selected nine high-achieving Maine students attending four-year colleges and universities in Maine for merit-based scholarships totaling $13,000.

Kathryn Ventrella, a rising junior and elementary education major at UMaine-Orono, is the recipient of the foundation’s top scholarship, a $2,500 award.

Ventrella submitted an essay on giving back to Maine by teaching and mentoring youth in both academic and athletic settings. In addition to her paid work and academic excellence, her long list of volunteer contributions includes three years of Alternative Spring Break, as well as time as a coach, literacy volunteer and substitute teacher at Maine elementary schools.

The Foundation received dozens of applications from students at 10 different schools across the state. Local winners were:

• Kathryn Ventrella, of Jay, junior at University of Maine, studying elementary education, $2,500, top award recipient.

• Sully Jackson, of Wilton, rising sophomore at UMaine-Machias, studying environmental studies/sustainability – $1,000 award.

• Alanna Larrivee, of Gray, sophomore at University of Southern Maine, studying economics – $1,000 award.

• Elizabeth Henderson, of Gorham, sophomore at USM, studying environmental science/biology minor – $1,000 award.