PORT ORCHARD — Students from South Kitsap High School, Explorer Academy and Discovery Alternative High School were recognized late last month by being named Superintendent Scholar Award winners and finalists.

Superintendent Karst Brandsma, who retires at the end of this month, spearheaded the development of the Superintendent Scholar Award program in 2018.

“We are so pleased to see this program continue,” Brandsma said at a ceremony honoring the winners and finalists at McCormick Woods Country Club.

“It is absolutely inspiring to hear the students speak about their educational journey and those who helped them along the way. This program is a testament to the amazing students and staff in our schools.

“Thank you to the South Kitsap Public Education Foundation [SKPEF] for their ongoing support and to the counselors at our high schools who were instrumental in getting the applications distributed and collected.”

The student finalists and their nominated teachers received mounted certificates of recognition. The winning students and teachers also received medallions. In addition, SKPEF awarded $500 to the winning teacher’s school. A perpetual trophy displaying the student’s name will be displayed at each high school.

Here are the finalists and award winners:

South Kitsap High School

Winner: Sara Crane and teacher Greg Johnson

Finalist: Emmeline Hutchinson and teacher Maureen Dawson (the Highly Capable Program)

Finalist: Paige Ohman and teacher Nancy Fairweather

Finalist: Matthew Young and teacher Mandy Wood

Explorer Academy

Winner: Miranda Keating and teacher Shari Carragher

Finalist: Dakota Cornish and retired SKSD teacher Kim Marchel

Discovery Alternative High School

Winner: Autumn Mollinet and teacher Jerry Polley