Kirkland resident Emily Lootens, a junior at of the University of Washington, has been awarded The National Society of Collegiate Scholars Scholar Abroad Scholarship, a $5,000 award to help pay for her spring 2011 semester abroad in Rome.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honor society that recognizes and elevates high-achieving first- and second-year students in the top 20 percent of their class.

Lootens is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but has spent her formative years in Kirkland. The Inglemoor Senior High School graduate went on to study communications at the University of Washington and joined NSCS during her sophomore year at UW. She is an Officer of the NSCS chapter as well as President of the UW chapter of Sigma Alpha Lambda.

“Being part of NSCS has inspired to me to further my education to graduate school and attain my PHD in clinical psychology,” said Lootens. “It has also allowed me to follow my dream of studying abroad in Europe, something that I would never be able to achieve on my own.”

Because the study abroad experience plays such a crucial role in students’ growth and development, NSCS awards one $5,000 Scholar Abroad Scholarship each fall and spring semester and one $2,500 scholarship for the summer term to provide members the opportunity to study abroad.

“We’re pleased to help Emily pursue a study abroad experience in Rome,” said Steve. Loflin, CEO & Founder of NSCS. “Her desire to expand her knowledge and better understand European culture truly made her application stand out. We are proud to help her represent her school, community, NSCS and the United States overseas.”

Scholar Abroad applicants are required to answer two essay questions, provide at least one letter of recommendation and must be accepted into a study abroad program at the time of application. Applications are reviewed by the NSCS Scholarship Review Committee based in the NSCS’ national office in Washington, D.C.