Western Kentucky University has selected 26 students as recipients of the 2015-16 Cherry Presidential Scholarship, the school’s most prestigious academic award.

One of them is Kayla Hazel of Auburn, a senior at Logan County High Schools whose mother is Michelle Thomason. She plans to major in biology. She works at Slappy’z Family Diner.

The scholarship is valued at more than $16,800 annually and worth more than $67,000 during a four-year period.

Dr. Jace Lux, WKU’s Director of Recruitment and Admissions, spoke at a luncheon Feb. 6 for Cherry Presidential Scholarship finalists.

The students were among 68 applicants who visited WKU on Feb. 6 for activities that included an impromptu writing exercise and an interview. In addition to demonstrating outstanding scholastic achievement at the secondary level, applicants submitted personal statements, essays and letters of recommendation as part of the selection process.

The recipients had an average GPA of 3.97 and an average ACT score of 32.2. There are 17 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars and two National Merit Semifinalists in the group of recipients.

The only other area recipients in the group are as follows:

Ethan Evans of Bowling Green, a senior at South Warren High School whose parents are Tim Evans and Eileen Starr. He also plans to major in biology.

Angel Ann Semrick of Bowling Green, a senior at South Warren High School whose parents are Chris and Stephanie Lindsey. She plans to major in elementary education.

Jessica Johnson of Clarkson, a senior at Grayson County High School whose parents are David and Patricia Johnson. She plans to major in biology.