First Student Inc. recently awarded four high school seniors in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District with $8,000 in scholarships.

The money will help cover the cost of college or vocational school tuition.

The recipients of the 2012 scholarships are Zena DeLoach of Su-Valley Jr./Sr. High, Taylor Guthrie of American Academy Charter School, Ean Johnson of Burchell High School and Laci Player of Palmer High School.

The students at the Palmer, Alaska-based school district were selected based on their GPA, a personal essay on how school transportation helped with their education and two letters of recommendation from community members. The scholarship recipients were also required to ride the school bus for a minimum of three years.

“We are proud to recognize these deserving students,” said Tom Hyatt, First Student area general manager. “Graduating from high school is quite an accomplishment, and we are happy to help these young men and women pursue their dreams through education.”

First Student will award $12,000 in scholarships to six Matanuska-Susitna Borough high school seniors in 2013, including two graduates with special needs.

In other news, First Student is providing complimentary shuttle service at eight locations inside Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Wash., through Labor Day.

The First Student drivers also serve as park ambassadors. They attended classes to learn the history of the park so they can provide information to visitors who take the shuttle.