The Central Carolinas Association of the Phi Beta Kappa Society has announced the selection of the recipients of The Outstanding Senior Student Book Award at the six high schools in Moore and Lee counties.

The recipients were selected by the high school counselors based upon the students' academic achievement, service and leadership potential in the liberal arts curriculum.

The early selection will enable the students to list the award on their applications for college admissions.

Furthermore, as their school's recipient, each student will be a candidate for the association's Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship for 2011 to be announced in the spring.

"The association's scholarship committee will interview each book award recipient and select a student for the scholarship," said the association's scholarship chairman, Jane "Betty" Barnett.

The following high school students were selected for the book awards: Meirra Birath, of Southern Pines, Pinecrest; Lindsey Caddell, of West End, Union Pines; Paige Garner, of Seagrove, North Moore; Hayley Gunter, of Sanford, Lee County; Maura Thornton, of Vass, The O'Neal School; and Joanna Spivey, of Sanford, Southern Lee. Each of the students will select a high school teacher who has positively influenced the student's development. The teachers will be recognized with an award.

In the past eight years, the Central Carolinas Phi Beta Kappa Association has awarded scholarships and awards totaling nearly $15,000. The student recipients have attended Sandhills Community College, UNC Pembroke, UNC-Chapel Hill and New York University, to name a few.

The national Phi Beta Kappa Society, founded in 1776 during the American Revolution, has the mission to advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, embrace the principles of freedom of inquiry, and liberty of thought and expression.

Only 10 percent of the nation's institutions of high learning have Phi Beta Kappa chapters, and only about 10 percent of the arts and sciences are selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduation, members may join a PBK association in their communities. The associations foster friendship, continued learning and community service. The Central Carolinas Association of PBK was chartered in 2002. PBK members residing in the area are invited to join.

Interested PBK members may call (910) 215-4574 for more information.