By SARA MILLER

Kitsap News Group

The Kiwanis Club of Port Orchard is offering the highest number of scholarships this year to students who live within the South Kitsap School District’s boundary.

“Our club offers more in scholarship funds to South Kitsap students than any other community organization,” Don Grimes said. Grimes is a former Kiwanis Club of Port Orchard president as well as the current scholarship chair.

This year, Kiwanis has $16,500 available to give to five to eight students in the South Kitsap area. College-bound or vocational track-bound students are eligible to apply.

The Kiwanis Club of Port Orchard was chartered in 1929 and has been active in the Port Orchard community for 88 years. Kiwanis’ core projects include the scholarship program, Kiwanis Student of the Month (for junior and senior high students), honoring elementary students with Terrific Kid assemblies (10 elementary schools take part in three assemblies per school year) and Kiwanis members reading to kindergartners each week in every elementary school.

“We’re a very active group committed to creating positive experiences for children in our community,” Grimes said. “We will also have our annual bike rodeo in conjunction with the Kitsap Fire and Rescue Safety Fair on May 20.”

Information needed to apply can be found on the club’s website, www.kiwanisclubofportorchard.org.

To apply, go to the www.thewashboard.org website and search for Kiwanis. The deadline to apply is April 14.

Applicants must live within the South Kitsap School District boundaries, and applications must be submitted through www.thewashboard.org.