SALEM, Mass. - Freshmen Kayla Biagioni of Medford, Michael DuBois of Beverly, Virginia Castagno of Westford, Laura Dowling of Malden, and Kristen Rybicki of Salem were recognized as this year's Tsongas Scholars at the College's 20th Annual Academic Convocation on September 10.

Named to honor the life and works of Senator Paul E. Tsongas and for his outstanding service to the citizens of Massachusetts, the Tsongas Scholars Program provides four full years of study without cost for tuition or fees to some of the most academically talented students in the Commonwealth.

The scholarship program was designed by the Council of State College Presidents, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the Institutional Boards of Trustees, to foster more scholarship aid and to attract even more outstanding students to state colleges.

Freshmen Tsongas Scholars must be in the top ten percent of their high school class or have earned a 3.75 G.P.A. and have a minimum combined S.A.T. score of 1,200 (or A.C.T. equivalent) or better.

For more information about the Tsongas Scholars Program at Salem State, contact Rod Kessler, coordinator of the Honors Program, at (978) 542-6378.