“A piano-playing math expert who wants to be an orthodontist and a soft-spoken research enthusiast who says he was inspired by the stars are two of the first recipients of a prestigious new scholarship from Skagit Valley College. Both say they were surprised and lucky to receive the honor, but college officials say the two are outstanding students with exciting futures ahead of them.As winners of the Sidney S. McIntyre Jr. Skagit Valley College Memorial Scholarship, Rodolfo Galgana of Oak Harbor and Szymon Steplewski of Greenbank will each receive two full years of tuition, books and board at the University of Washington. Skagit Valley College spokesman Patrick Kennicott said the awards amount to about $18,000 apiece. The source of the scholarships is a $2.5 million bequest from Sidney McIntyre Jr. McIntyre served on the Board of Governors for the college from 1980 to 1985 and was a strong advocate for scholarships and endowments, Kennicott said. McIntyre’s bequest is the largest student scholarship endowment ever given to the college. Kennicott said the money is being invested so that it will continue to generate six scholarships each year.Galgana intends to major in astronomy and physics and Steplewski in physics and math when they enter UW in the fall.Galgana moved to Oak Harbor in 1993 and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1998. He has been vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, served in student government, became a member of the All Washington Academic Team and tutored math while at SVC. Galgana is also an artist, working in charcoal, pastels and paint and is an accomplished musician on both guitar and piano. He plans to go on to the University of Washington Dental School after he earns his bachelor’s degree. After four years there and two more specializing in orthodontics, he hopes to set up a practice as an orthodontist. He said the profession appeals to him because it blends the sciences with his love of art.I want to work with my hands and I like to make things look good, he said.Steplewski’s family moved to Whidbey from West Seattle about three years ago and he enrolled at South Whidbey High School as a freshman. During his junior and senior years he has been in the Running Start program, which allows students to obtain a high school diploma and a two-year college degree at the same time.I like to study independently,” Steplewski said. It puts the burden of education on you. That appeals to me.Moving to Whidbey provided Steplewski with a career incentive.I’d see stars and the Milky Way, he said, referring to the darker nights on rural Whidbey. The stars spurred an interest in astronomy that he plans to carry into his studies at UW. Eventually I’d like to work in something like astrophysics.Barbara Schneeman, coordinator of the South Whidbey Center of Skagit Valley College had high praise for Steplewski.He’s brilliant, she said. He did a research paper here with us that should have been published – it was that good. I expect to see his name up there with Stephen Hawking someday.Steplewski said he applied for the scholarship because it was one of the few dedicated to students pursuing science careers.I was relieved that someone filled the gap for science students, he said. I think he (McIntyre) has made a far-reaching investment.Steplewski admits that study and research take most of his time but he also plays guitar, helps at his parent’s preschool and has recently gained an appreciation for chess.A lot of people think it’s a game, but I consider it an art, he said.Since they share many of the same interests, Galgana and Steplewski have developed a friendship during their time at Skagit Valley College.I enjoy talking things over with him and giving him challenges, Steplewski said. We also play chess. That’s interesting.”