3 National P.E.O. STAR scholarships awarded to WHS students

The prestigious P.E.O. Star Scholarship will be awarded to three young women from the 2019 graduating class of Washington High School. This $2,500 scholarship is being given this spring 880 students from the U.S. and Canada. This award recognizes students who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

Each PEO Chapter may nominate only one student for this award and for the second time, each applicant from Washington's three P.E.O. Chapters were successful in receiving this scholarship. Washington's Star Scholars are: Peyton Cuddeback, nominated by Chapter MX of Washington, daughter of Jeff and April Cuddeback. She plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in pharmacy. Gwendolyn Flannery, nominated by Chapter OC of Washington, daughter of Ryan and Diana Flannery. She plans to attend Augustana College for nursing and health studies. Gracie Greiner, nominated by Chapter J of Washington, daughter of Shaun and Heather Greiner. She plans to attend Iowa State University and major in animal science with a minor in horticulture.

P.E.O. is an international women's organization of nearly 250,000 members, founded in 1869 as a seven-member sorority at nearby Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. The Civil War had just ended, and settlement of the western United States was rapidly expanding. Women at this time did not have the right to vote and advanced education for women was still not widespread.

This small beginning did not prevent P.E.O. from succeeding as an organization and promoting educational opportunities for women. To date, over $344.8 million dollars have been awarded to over 109,000 women from P.E.O.'s six educational projects. For more information about this scholarship, visit P.E.O.'s website - www.peointernational.org or contact any member of P.E.O.