Barrios awarded scholarship

Julie Lauren Barrios, daughter of Brian and Brenda Barrios of Converse, has been awarded the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship from the Louisiana Department of Education. She is one of 137 graduates in Louisiana to receive this honor. Barrios recently graduated from Converse High School and will be attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge majoring in Mass Communication. Her older sister, Brooke Barrios, is also a recipient of the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship.

An 11-member selection committee representing BESE reviewed applications to identify scholarship winners. The applicants were evaluated on their academic achievement, leadership potential, communication skills and school and community involvement. The criteria for selection in the scholarship program are demonstrated academic achievement and potential for continued academic success at an accredited institution of higher education, accredited proprietary institution of higher education or accredited postsecondary vocational institution.

To be academically eligible for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, applicants must have completed the required state minimum high school graduation requirements by the end of the 2010 academic year. Additionally, graduates must have earned a GPA of 3.5 and have an ACT Composite Score of 23 or an SAT Critical Reading and Math Score of 970.

Each scholarship award shall be for a maximum of $1,500 per year, for a period of no more than four years of undergraduate study.