Centralia College has named two students to the 2026 All-Washington Academic Team.
They are being recognized formally at a ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. The event will be streamed live via YouTube.
Lily Ferch, 18, is a Running Start student from Centralia High School. She will finish her associate degree and high school diploma in June. She plans to transfer this fall to Saint Martin’s University to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology with the ultimate goals of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. Outside the classroom, she works at a local daycare and volunteers in the summers at Providence Centralia Hospital.
Marcus Hewitt, 25, of Tenino, worked a few years as a forklift operator after high school, but found it difficult to change jobs or advance, a news release stated. He was ready for a change and enrolled at Centralia College to pursue his degree in mechanical and civil engineering. He plans to transfer to Saint Martin’s University after graduation next year to earn his bachelor’s degree. He wants to work in a civil engineering office for a city.
Each will receive a medallion and a $210 scholarship from KeyBank, as well as an additional $290 from the Centralia College Foundation. The top 16 students, as ranked by Phi Theta Kappa and announced at the ceremony on Thursday, will receive an additional $780 from WSECU, and the top three will receive an additional $1,000 from the Washington State Association of College Trustees.
Additionally, students who choose to attend Washington state four-year colleges and universities are eligible to receive transfer scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000. Both of Centralia College’s students intend to transfer to Saint Martin’s University, which provides a $5,000 scholarship to each.
The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state's finest higher education students. To qualify for the All-Washington Academic Team, students must be part of the Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. All-Washington Academic Team members will also be ranked at a national level, with a chance to be included in the All-USA Academic Team.
