Last year, Lauralee Ward was a senior at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix. Next year, she hopes to be in Guadalajara with fellow students from Brigham Young University perfecting her Spanish-language skills.

A member of Sunnyslope’s cross-country, tennis and varsity basketball teams, Ward also was vice president of her school’s Future Educators of America club and a member of the National Honor Society. Last year, M&I Bank recognized Ward’s potential and helped her make the decision to study elementary education at BYU by awarding her with a $5,500 scholarship in honor of her educational achievements and athletic contributions.

“This scholarship is a great way to recognize the academic, athletic and humanitarian achievements of local high school students,” said Ward, who began classes at BYU in late August. “I’m grateful to M&I Bank for my award and the contribution it will make to my college education.”

M&I Bank is now accepting applications from student athletes for scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,500. M&I Bank will award a $500 scholarship to one high school senior each week for 10 weeks. On Dec. 12, the bank will announce an additional grand-prize scholarship, valued at $5,000, awarded to one of the 10 finalists.

“There are high school students all around the Valley who work diligently in academics, athletics and their communities,” said Carey Allen, vice president and regional marketing manager for M&I Bank. “With rising costs of college tuition, M&I Bank is proud to honor 10 of these students every year with financial awards.”

M&I Bank will evaluate applications throughout the 10-week period to determine a scholarship winner each week. The final deadline for submitting applications is Oct. 25.  Application packets, which include six short-answer questions, are available at all M&I Bank branch locations in metropolitan Phoenix (visit www.micorp.com for a list of branch locations) or online at www.azfamily.com/skylights. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early.

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach and/or academic adviser; a statement from a coach or athletic director confirming participation in a sport; and a certified copy of official academic transcripts from the previous two school years.

Any Arizona high school senior can apply. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, and must participate in at least one season of a particular sport, at any level. All school-sponsored sports are eligible, and applicants do not have to have plans to participate in post-high school sports to qualify. Applicants are required to be 18 years of age or younger and a legal Arizona resident. The scholarship must help fund post-secondary education, which can include a college, university or vocational school. For more information, call Carey Allen at 480-558-6383.