Sara Irvin of Bainbridge Island has been awarded the Rensselaer Medal and scholarship.

Irvin is a student at Bainbridge High School.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has awarded the medal and scholarship to promising high school juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science.

The Rensselaer Medal was first presented in 1916 with two purposes: to recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women, and to motivate students toward careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The medal is the oldest of its kind in the United States, and is awarded at more than 5,000 high schools throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Each participating high school is allowed to select one member of the junior class to be honored withe the Rensselaer Medal Award. Faculty and staff at each school designate the medalist.

The merit scholarship, with a value of $25,000 per year, is guaranteed for four years (five years for the bachelor of architecture program) for each medalist who is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer.