Do you know a senior who was there for you or others when it really mattered? Our friend Krishna, a 1998 graduate of Mercer Island High School, was like that. Krishna embraced life, got the most out of every situation and devoted herself to her friends and her community. She inspired us all. Krishna told us before she passed away in 2001, "My passion is my friends and my family and loving them and understanding them." And she came up with the idea for an award for an MIHS graduate who shared her values. This is that award.
We seek students of the 2025 Mercer Island High School graduating class who embody these qualities for the 23rd annual Krishna D. Vara Award. This award is not based on academic merit, but rather seeks to recognize the extraordinary impact of true friendship, remarkable spirit and community involvement. The recipient will be honored at the Senior Awards Night and will receive a $3,000 scholarship from the Krishna D. Vara Memorial Fund.
Know an unsung hero? Join us in honoring a senior who is kind and generous. You can nominate any graduating senior you know in a personal capacity — but we especially encourage students to nominate friends who have made a big impact on them and on others. The more we know about a nominee, the better — so you could improve your nominee’s chances by encouraging others to nominate them.
We want to hear all about your nominee, so remember to share specific stories and details that will help us get to know your nominee and understand what makes them special.
All nominations must be received by TBD, 2025
Nominations should not be self-submitted or solicited. Students should not be nominated by relatives.