A Pella-area student is among fifteen students from Iowa who are finalists in the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award (USA) program. Kendall Van Kooten, a junior who is home-schooled and also attends Pella High School, was selected based on letters of recommendation and his proposed Rain Garden Environmental Project that will be implemented in Knoxville.

This fall, he will be presented with a $1,000 scholarship and could be selected for one of three $5,000 scholarships. Kendall is the son of Kraig and Jennifer Van Kooten of Harvey.