Among the recipients are Karen Rossmassler from Los Gatos High School and Paula McNally from Saratoga High School.

"The 3,000 members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors are proud to sponsor the annual scholars program, which recognizes outstanding graduating seniors from schools within the communities we serve in Silicon Valley," said the association's president, Judy Jarvis Ellis. "This program is our way of saying 'thank you' to the teachers, students, administrators and school board members who have made our schools among the best in the nation. We believe that investing in our youth today is the best way to ensure a better tomorrow."

Winners were selected through a partnership effort with area high schools. Principals and faculty at each school nominated three graduating seniors with exemplary records. In addition to superior academic achievement, scholarship winners were also selected for being well-rounded students and citizens who are involved in the broader community.

Final selections were made by a committee that included representatives from the business community, area high schools, area colleges and the Silicon Valley Realtors Association. The scholarships will be granted to the winners upon enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university of their choice.

"The scholarship program is a fundamental element of our foundation. By awarding scholarships to each of the high schools within our geographical area, it is another way of demonstrating our involvement in and support of the communities that we serve," said Mickey Shaevitz, foundation president and a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Los Altos.

The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Charitable Foundation is a trust that makes grants available to organizations from donations by its Realtor and affiliate members and friends. The foundation is a wholly owned 501(c)3 subsidiary of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, a nonprofit trade association. In addition to student scholarships, the Charitable Foundation Trust also awards approximately $150,000 in grants annually to nonprofit organizations in the areas of youth, housing and education.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.