The Silverdale Whaling Days Hank Mann Sykes scholarship has been awarded for the last 10 years. The scholarship is available for Central Kitsap School District students who have a strong sense of community involvement and volunteerism.

Last year’s scholarships were awarded to Alli Galeski with Olympic High School, Brielle Stevens with Klahowya Secondary School and Jarrod Sweet with Central Kitsap High School.

This year’s scholarship of up to $1,000 will be awarded in June. Each applicant is required to demonstrate community involvement and volunteerism and why they feel that it is an important contribution to their community. The scholarship application is now available in the counseling office of CKHS, KSS, OHS and East and West Alternative School. The application is also available at whalingdays.com. Applications must be postmarked by April 14.

Over the last 43 years, Silverdale Whaling Days has become a summer staple for families from all over Kitsap County. The festival is a nonprofit organization run exclusively by volunteers. Each year Whaling Days donates proceeds to the local community through charitable contributions and scholarships.

The 2016 festival is July 29-31 at Silverdale Waterfront Park.