High school seniors Max Klumph and Rylee Markell were awarded competitive Presidential Scholarships as they prepare for college.
Max Klumph was awarded the Presidential Scholarship for Oregon State University, Corvallis, where he plans to study kinesiology with an interest in becoming a doctor in physical therapy.
The high school senior participated in soccer, basketball, track and golf, and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Klumph’s leadership experience includes: captain of the soccer team, co-president of Interact Club, Student Body vice president, Student Body elections commissioner, Leadership Class, RYLA Camp and Class Board.
He has volunteered more than 1,000 hours at the Boys & Girls Club, Soccer Camp, Oregon County Music Festival, Hope Center, the Christmas Giving Tree, Chamber of Commerce, Harvest Festival, Outdoor School, Icebox Cookoff, blood drives, food and penny drives, and other school- and church-related events.
According to the OSU website, the Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious and competitive scholarship available with awards as high as $40,000 for students. Recipients also received added perks, such as priority registration and ZipCar membership for one year.
They are evaluated on their accomplishments, contributions, experiences and talents, as well as their social and personal achievements and participation in activities that demonstrate academic potential, leadership abilities, and commitment to service.
To be eligible for consideration, students must have at least a 3.85 unweighted GPA. Of 3,000 eligible students, only 145 recipients were selected for the scholarship, equating to about 4% of all eligible students who were selected.
Rylee Markell was awarded the Presidential Scholarship for the Robert D. Clark Honors College and University of Oregon, where she plans to study business administration.
She participated in soccer, track, cross country and swimming, and was named Academic All American for swimming. Markell is a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteered approximately 443.5 hours for blood drives, Soccer Kids Camp, Canned Food and Penny Drives, Hope Center.
Markell’s leadership experience includes soccer captain, swimming captain, president of Interact Club, Student Body treasurer and vice president, head prom coordinator. She also participated in Class Board and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp, and was on the Sportsman’s Holiday Court.
UO’s website states the Presidential Scholarship awards up to $36,000 each to approximately 50 students. Selection of winners for this competitive, “highly selective” scholarship is based on academic preparation, activities and talents, leadership, volunteer service, work experience and four short-answer essay questions.

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