For the first time in the program's 27-year history, the Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete of the Year award has ended in a four-way tie, with two female and two male scholar athletes rising to the top of an exceptionally competitive field, organizers announced.
The two Female Scholar Athletes of the Year are Jia Peters of St. John's School, who will attend the University of Guam, and Sadie Guerrero of the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, who will attend the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
The two Male Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athletes of the Year are Mason Whitaker of Father Dueñas Memorial School, who will attend Columbia University, and Kai Duenas of Guam High School, who will attend the United States Air Force Academy.
Dr. Thomas Shieh said all four carry straight-A averages along with multiple honors in academics and sports and a record of community service. "In our 27 years of this program, this is the first time we have a four-way tie," the he said, noting the difficulty of selecting from among 15 deserving scholar athletes. "Just flip a coin and you will not have a bad choice."
Each winner will receive more than $4,500 in educational prizes and scholarships, including a new Apple MacBook Air, an iPad and $2,500 toward their educational pursuits.