Five local graduating seniors earned $12,500 in scholarships through the PotashCorp scholarship program for sons and daughters of employees.

Receiving PotashCorp scholarships for 2011 are Olivia Bell of South Central High School, Madison Brame of Southside High School, Corey Francis of D. H. Conley High School, Rebecca Lewonski of D. H. Conley High School and Kelly Winstead of Northside High School.

Each of these five students received PotashCorp Divisional Scholarships, which are one-time awards valued at $2,500.

Scholarship winners were recognized at a PotashCorp scholarship recipient luncheon held June 15 at the PotashCorp-Aurora employee center, hosted by Steve Beckel, general manager of the PotashCorp-Aurora facility. Scholars, their parents, and members of the PotashCorp-Aurora management team attended the luncheon.

“It is important to recognize and reward these young students for their hard work and encourage their continued academic success,” said Beckel.

Annually, graduating high school dependents of PotashCorp-Aurora employees have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The scholarship recipients are chosen by Scholarship and Recognition Programs of the Educational Testing Service, a nonprofit institute in Princeton, N.J. The scholarship selection criteria include the consideration of academic records, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and accomplishments.