Scholarships are not only for students with high academic performance or outstanding athletic abilities.

A group of service clubs make up the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY), a group focused on bringing scholarships to students who have overcome challenges in their young lives.

The AWRSAY board is now accepting nominations for the recognition ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Arvada West High School.

Fifteen students will win scholarships ranging from $900 to $1,200 to use to attend Red Rocks Community College. Another 45 students will be recognized by the group.

Nominations are due by Dec. 14, and the board will choose the scholarship winners by Jan. 7.

According to Dan Macy, RRCC advisor and AWRSAY board member, these awards are for students who may have otherwise been missed through traditional awards.

“I get to see a lot of the students in my role as an academic advisor,” Macy said. “It’s very rewarding seeing them start college, and stay with the program.”

Former scholarship winners were nominated for awards because of their strength in overcoming major adversity in their lives including health issues, drugs and crime within their family.

Students can be nominated for the awards from seventh through 12th grade. Anyone is able to nominate a student, but most often teachers and school counselors are the ones to nominate students.

To nominate a student fill out a nomination packet, which all high school counselors will have available.

Otherwise contact Bev Craddock, community outreach at Jefferson County Public Schools, at 303-982-6800.

Student nominees are required to write a short essay about the adversity they have overcome to be considered for the awards.