FUHS senior wins regional scholarship competition

FALLBROOK– Local high school student Wade Munson has been selected to win a $1,000 scholarship in an annual competition to award scholarships to graduating seniors.

The Fallbrook Public Utility District nominated Munson to the California Special Districts Association for the award. He is a remarkable, honor-roll student who is an active volunteer in Fallbrook church and community groups. He also has a deep concern for the environment, the homeless and underprivileged.

One unexpected award he received included a personal invitation to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law, a weeklong seminar in the District of Columbia. There, as one in a hand-selected group of students from across the nation, he learned of leader-ship skills he wasn’t aware he possessed. The experience changed and inspired him.

Upon returning, he led his Band of Brothers volunteer Christian group to create FREE HOPE Inc., a nonprofit recycling program in which all proceeds are donated to Fallbrook’s homeless and needy. In addition to his extracurricular activities, Munson works, takes advanced classes and has a 3.8 overall grade-point average.

One of the requirements in the scholarship application was to research the purpose of California Special Districts and write an essay about their value as a form of local government. Special districts are formed to provide such services as water, fire protection, sewer service, irrigation and protection of natural resources, and are the most direct link to government for many Californians, yet few people understand how they work.

FPUD does not fund the scholarships, but worked with North County Fire Protection District and Mission Resources Conservation District to screen applications for the CSDA and make a nomination.

Munson will be recognized at a special CSDA award dinner May 17 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Diego. He will also be recognized at the FPUD board meeting, May 21.