The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be presenting its annual Academic Awareness Awards in recognition of students who overcome difficulties and adversity to make school a priority in life.

Freshmen students Catheryne Baker of Hazen High School and Weslee Reynolds of Highline High School have been named as recipients of the 2005 Academic Awareness Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The Academic Awareness Awards will be presented tomorrow (May 18) during a noon ceremony at the King County Council Chambers on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse in Seattle. A total of 18 students will be receiving the 2005 Academic Awareness Award.

The event is expected to last about one hour and awards are also given to school staff and others who are committed to truancy prevention.

King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng and King County Superior Court Judge Patricia Clark will host tomorrow’s awards ceremony. Washington State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge and King County Councilman Larry Gossett will also be making presentations.

“I believe that truancy intervention is an investment in our youth and an important step in preventing crime,” said King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng.

In addition, one school administrator and two attorneys will also be receiving Academic Awareness Awards for their commitment to excellence in truancy prevention.

Dated: May 17, 2005