Lakeport >> Each year the Elks National Foundation gives out $2,440,000 million in scholarship money to high school seniors through their Most Valuable Student competition. Of the nearly 20,000 students who applied this year, only 20 became finalists, each winning at least $20,000 and as much as $50,000. In the past 35 years, only one student from the Northern California district has made it to the finals — that is until this year, when Clear Lake High School Student Christopher Vincent scored himself a spot.
“From personal experience, I’ve been involved for over 25 years, and to just get to the nationals you have to be one of the top of the top just to get there,” said Craig Kinser with the Lakeport Elks Lodge. “I’ve had lots of excellent, excellent students … get the minimal award, which is 4,000 dollars. But we’ve never had anyone from this area get a national award.”
Kinser can barely contain his pride. “It’s just unbelievable, and to have one of my guys to be top 20 in the country, it’s just an unbelievable situation,” he said.
This past weekend, Vincent and his fellow finalists traveled to Chicago to interview with a panel of national judges in the hopes of receiving awards of $30,000, $40,000 or $50,000. Though Vincent didn’t advance past $20,000, he’s still thrilled about his rather large scholarship. “I’m happy either way, so it’s definitely good,” he said.
Vincent, who achieved a 1500 on the SATs, a nearly perfect score (the scholarship doesn’t look at the writing portion of the test), is more than a stellar student. He’s a student-athlete, competing in football and tennis and well as a thespian, acting in “Hairspray” and “Footloose,” among other titles. He’s the President of the Interact Club and Vice President of the CSF Club, a scholar organization. He sits on the board of representatives for his student council and he volunteers plenty.
He even spent the summer living in Saulsalito with his aunt, working at a marine animal hospital recommended by his biology teacher. “I was always interested in animal care but also educating the public,” he said.
Even though it’s not a short trip, Vincent still likes to head down on the weekends and put in more volunteering hours. “I’ve tried to expand outside of Lake County because we don’t have as many opportunities here,” he said.
He insists he’s never participated in any activities for the resume boost. “I do it because I like it, not because I want to win some scholarship,” he said. “When I first started high school, I liked doing schoolwork and I liked learning, but I always wanted to expand outside of school and just try new things. I just tried to find things that I like and fill my time up. I don’t like sitting at home and playing video games.”
It’s clear that volunteering is something Vincent feels passionate about. He’s coached basketball, organized canned food projects, helped with Tango Mike and assisted with clean ups. “I am pretty fortunate that I could use my time to help others and do community service,” he said. “I think that’s something that people should be involved in if they have extra time to help out people who maybe aren’t as fortunate.”
Needless to say, the scholarship selection committee was impressed with Vincent’s accomplishments. “To get this award, we’re talking about the captain of the football team, a straight A student, 1500 plus on the SATs, does stage productions, works for a living with his family. The list is kind of beyond comprehension for a normal person like me,” Kinser said. “I went to school, played some sports, did a little of this, a little of that. We’re talking about a guy who’s top 20 in the country in this whole well-rounded program.”
Choosing the finalists involved many factors. Academics are of high importance, with 50 percent of the decision resting on a student’s SAT score and GPA. Awards and honors, hours worked, a letter of recommendation, volunteering, leadership and activities, as well as an essay written specifically for the competition, are all examined. Financial need is also considered.
Though his academics and his list of activities outstrip many, Vincent wasn’t expecting to become a Most Valuable Student finalist. “I didn’t give it any special attention, because it being a state thing I thought it would be pretty hard. I was super surprised because at first they told me I had come first in our district. I went to state and then I got second in the state in California,” he said. “Then I found out I was top 20. That was definitely shocking. I heard I’m top 20 of almost 20,000 people that applied, which to me is pretty incredible.”
Despite the validation this award no doubt brings, Vincent remains humble. “I’m not that great of a person,” he said. “I just filled out the application and I get good grades.”
The Most Valuable Student Scholarship will certainly help Vincent through the next four years as he studies Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. Though he’s never been exposed to the field in Lake County, he’s excited for his studies. “Ever since I’ve been a little kid I’ve always wanted to go into aerospace engineering,” he said. “It’s something that’s always interested me.”
Vincent likely has many emotions regarding his scholarship: happiness, excitement and a little bit of disbelief, but mostly he feels grateful. “It helps to pay for my college,” he said. “I’m super fortunate that I can afford college and it helps out.”
There are a lot of people Vincent feels he owes a very large thank you. “I’m pretty thankful to Clear Lake High School that we have a lot of good teachers and support from the counselors. I’m super lucky to go to a good school,” he said. “I’m just thankful to them and thankful to the Elks Foundation. They run a huge scholarship competition. It’s pretty amazing what they can do and how they can help people.”
The sponsoring lodge, Lakeport Lodge number 2704, is thrilled about Vincent’s accomplishment. “We all donate a lot to the scholarship program. To have this come back to us is a big thing,” Kinser said. “The Elks program itself is involved in giving back to the community. Tons of our donations go to this program. We put our small chunk in year after year and to have one of our kids get something back is big for us.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
