Prosser High senior earns governor’s community service scholarship

A Prosser High School student received the Governor’s Community Service Scholarship on Thursday morning in recognition of his dedication to community service and career aspirations of one day becoming a police officer.

Sebastian Castilleja, a senior who goes by Zebbie, received the award from Gov. Jay Inslee in Olympia. He also received a congratulatory phone call from Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste.

Castilleja is the Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties’ Youth of the Year.

The $2,500 Governors Service Award and Scholarship is given to youth exemplifying dedication to community service and have a goal to work in a profession that helps the public.

Two former Prosser High School Students were Benton-Franklin Youth of the Year, Brenna Cherry, and Ava Tolcacher, with Brenna Cherry winning the state Youth of the Year title.

Castilleja serves as a student representative to the Prosser School Board as well as on the Prosser Substance Abuse Coalition and as a staff member of the Prosser Boys and Girls Club.

Zebbie is a member of the Prosser Boys & Girls Club. In the past year he has contributed more than 600 volunteer hours by participating in many service activities in the community.

Zebbie is the second Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties Youth of the Year to receive this scholarship. Alexia Estrada received the award from Lt. Gov. Brad Owens in 2015 and she is now attending Seattle Pacific University as a freshman.

Zebbie is now competing against other state youth for the opportunity to be the Washington State Youth of the Year. The awards banquet and ceremony is Thursday evening.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 11:50 AM with the headline "Prosser High senior earns governor’s community service scholarship."