Get on the bus

An annual inspection by the Washington State Patrol has brought back a rating of “outstanding” for the Federal Way School District’s buses. This is the second year in a row Federal Way has received the mark.

State SAT scores

For the seventh consecutive year, Washington SAT score averages were the highest in the nation, in states where more than half the eligible students took the test, the College Board released.

The ranking is based on students who were 12th graders in 2009. Washington ranked first in critical reading and math, and fourth in writing.

WWU scholarship

Western Washington University student NaTasha Magnuson, daughter of Jeffrey and Carrie Magnuson of Federal Way, received a $2,000 President’s Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year.

President’s Scholarships are awarded to approximately the top 8-10 percent of incoming freshmen and transfer students, and are based on superior academic achievement. Magnuson, an incoming freshman, earned a 4.0 GPA at Decatur High School and is interested in majoring in environmental studies. Magnuson received a Masonic Outstanding Junior’s Award and took second in the state DECA Quiz Bowl. Magnuson was a member of the Decatur High School Drill and Dance team and volunteered as a peer tutor.

Bates scholarships

This fall, 26 Bates Technical College students, including two from Federal Way, will receive scholarships totaling $13,670 from the Bates Foundation to help close the funding gap. Rupinder Virk a practical nursing student from Federal Way, received the Altrusa Scholarship. Joseph Larsen, a sheet metal student from Federal Way, received the Guy and Nancy Hamilton Scholarship.

Basic training

Army Pvt. Mattew M. LeTempt has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics. LeTempt is the son of Norman LeTempt of Federal Way.