North Bend student Kira Clark recently won a $4,000—$1000 per year for four years—college scholarship in the 12th annual scholarship competition held by homeschool curriculum supplier Sonlight Curriculum.

Clark plans to attend Patrick Henry College in order to prepare for a life of political service.

She first discovered her love of serving others a through her work with Operation Christmas Child. Over the past years, Clark has raised significant money for this cause and spoken at Kiwanis and AWANA clubs, local business and church groups to encourage participation. Her efforts have resulted in many hundreds of boxes of Christmas gifts being shipped to needy children around the world.

Clark also competes in the NCFCA (a national speech and debate league for homeschoolers), where she has received high honors at regional and national competitions. She joined her love of debate and service to spearhead a youth campaign to fight a state ballot initiative to legalize physician assisted suicide.

Clark is one of 13 homeschool students who won a total of $92,000 in scholarships from Sonlight in 2011.

According to the scholarship committee, the students demonstrate exceptional character, are active in their communities, and display leadership, a heart for learning and creativity.

Over half of the group earned near perfect scores on the ACT and SAT. All have studied at least five Sonlight programs and many have used Sonlight since Kindergarten.

“While my goal is to raise up kids who love to learn by making education interesting, the result has been students of the highest caliber,” said Sarita Holzmann, Sonlight’s president and co-founder. “We choose from a field of bright and accomplished students who are already world-changers.”

Sonlight is the only homeschool curriculum company to offer a college scholarship to any institution the winner chooses.

For more information about the Sonlight scholarship program, visit www.sonlight.com/scholarship.html