MONROE — Something good can come out of tragedies.
Lizzie Monroe, 15, created the U.S. 2 Memorial Scholarship this year to raise awareness about the highway’s safety problems, to honor those who died along the road and to help graduating seniors with college tuition.
The scholarship is getting a lot of support and will continue next year, said Lizzie, who lives in Gold Bar and attends Sultan High School.
Rebecca Postyeni received the $500 scholarship this year, Lizzie said. Postyeni graduated from Sultan High School this spring and is heading to college. She is interested in pursuing a law enforcement career, which was part of the criteria for the scholarship. American Mechanical Corp, a Monroe company that specializes in plumbing, heating and service, donated the money.
Postyeni couldn’t be reached for comment.
Lizzie on Monday gave a presentation about the scholarship at the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition meeting in Monroe. The group voted to support her effort for years to come.
“It was a great experience being involved in something,” Lizzie said.
Since 1999, 48 people have been killed in crashes and accidents along U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass, according to state data. Lizzie’s friend Thomas Turner was one of the victims.
Fred Walser leads the coalition, which includes local residents, business people and officials. The group wants to expand the scholarship, Walser said.
“We’d like to spread the message as broadly as possible.”
The coalition appreciates Lizzie’s initiative, Walser said.
“Hopefully, we will get a message out to young people to drive safely on the highway,” he said.
Lizzie is set to begin taking classes at Cascadia Community College in Bothell this fall. She plans to commute on U.S. 2 and Highway 522.
“I’m excited and I’m a little nervous,” she said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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