Anchor/Reporter
ASHLAND, Ore. – An Ashland High School senior has earned one of Amazon’s most prestigious academic honors, the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship. Claire Kiekaefer is among just 400 students nationwide to receive this award, which includes $40,000 for college and a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon after her freshman year.
Kiekaefer plans to attend the University of Southern California to study computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence.
“It’s a great financial help. It’s really helping my ability to even go to college and to have a great time there. I’m just really very, very grateful,” Kiekaefer said.
The journey to this achievement involved essays on sustainability and engineering, along with a surprise quiz that concluded with a digital celebration. Principal Benjamin Bell of Ashland High School praised Kiekaefer’s accomplishment.
“It’s a highly competitive, prestigious scholarship and reflective of her exceptionality. We’re just incredibly proud,” Bell said.
Kiekaefer’s success highlights the supportive academic culture at Ashland High School. She has applied for more than 60 scholarships and hopes her story will inspire other students to pursue similar opportunities.
“I knew the odds weren’t, you know, super in my favor, but, with a pretty low stakes application like that, it’s like, why not?” Kiekaefer said.
Kiekaefer is one of only two students in Oregon to receive the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship this year. She remains hopeful for additional scholarships that may further support her college education.
Damien Alvarado is an anchor/reporter at NewsWatch 12. You can reach Damien at damienalvarado@kdrv.com.
Anchor/Reporter
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