Three local high school students recently participated in LaGrange College’s Scholar Weekend competition and earned thousands of dollars in scholarship awards.

Local winners include Fellows Scholar April Ramsden of Brooks, daughter of Jon and Fran Ramsden; Founders Scholar Caitlin Rosa of Brooks, daughter of Sandy and David Rosa; and Presidential Scholar Rachel Watson of Peachtree City, daughter of Butch and Catherine Watson.

At the competition, students were judged on their performance in group discussions, written essays and individual interviews. Students offered scholarships can utilize the awards in the fall of 2006, and the scholarships are renewable for the following three years.

Presidential Scholars are awarded a full scholarship, while Deans Scholars receive $12,000, Fellows Scholars earn $10,000 and Founders Scholars get $8,000.

A four-year liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College is ranked in the top 10 and as a “best value” among 106 Southern comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The college is the oldest private institution of higher learning in Georgia and has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.