SVHS Graduating Senior Among 190 Honored at State Capitol

Scotts Valley High School graduating senior Alyson Bothman was among 190 seniors from throughout California to receive a 2011 Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship for $1,000 at the State Capitol in Sacramento on June 15.

Comcast distributed $210,000 in scholarships at a special recognition ceremony honoring 190 California high school seniors from 104 different cities and 30 counties. The students also received a tour of the State Capitol and admission to the California Museum.

The seniors, who had to be nominated to apply for the award by a teacher or faculty member, were recognized for both their stellar academic track records and community involvement, said Melissa Vincelet, public relations coordinator for Comcast.

“I’m really lucky, and grateful to Comcast for the opportunity,” said Bothman, who is bound for the University of Puget Sound in Washington state in the fall, and plans to apply the scholarship toward her education.

Bothman’s myriad activities include volunteering at Dominican Hospital, working as a Santa Cruz County Outdoor School Cabin Leader and serving on the SVHS Associated Student Body, including as president. She was also captain of the Scotts Valley Varsity soccer team, described in as carrying "the ball with determination throughout the game."

Right now, Bothman is undeclared for her major, “but I’m hoping Puget Sound will help me decide,” she said.

She does, however, know that she wants to continue volunteering, and serving on student government, when she moves away.

Since 2001, Comcast’s Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program has recognized more than 15,000 high school students throughout the country, and divvied over $15.4 million in scholarship grants.