It has been almost five years since Solomon King was killed in a hit-and-run collision in November 2004.

Yet the memory of the 16-year-old Thomas S. Wootton junior lives on in the Solomon King scholarship given annually to a rising senior art student at the high school.

This year's winner is Wendy Kaufman, 16, of Rockville who will use the money to take a two-week portfolio building class at Montgomery College, beginning in July.

Art is a large part of Kaufman's life, as it was in Solomon's. "It was my passion ever since I was young," Kaufman said.

"Ever since she could talk," added Rhonda Kaufman, Wendy Kaufman's mother, after a presentation to award the scholarship on Monday.

"I'm just so thankful for everything, it's just an honor to represent Solomon," Wendy Kaufman said.

Kaufman's parents were also excited about the scholarship.

"I was thrilled, not only to mention it helps us financially, but it's such an honor," said Rhonda Kaufman.

"It really encourages her to believe in herself," Wendy's father, Jeff Kaufman, said.

The Kaufmans said they were also grateful to Mieko King, Solomon King's mother and scholarship organizer.

"It makes you really appreciate how rare people like Ms. King are," Jeff Kaufman said.

"I want other kids to have hope," Mieko King said on Monday. "You don't have to have straight A's to get a scholarship, you are good at something."

The scholarship is given to a student who shows a passion and skill in art as Solomon King did, regardless of their academic record, said Mieko King said.

Though it has been more than four years since her son's death, Mieko King still sheds tears in his memory.

"I did not expect anything from Solomon, I told him to go to college, to get a job," said King. "My dream was playing with his kids."

That dream was taken from her, and King said she still does not have any information as to the identity of her son's killer. Despite raising money for a reward fund of more than $20,000, King said she has not heard any new information from police.

According to Cpl. Stephen Galloza, a Montgomery County Police spokesman, the case is still open and there are no new leads. Police are still searching for the driver of a black 1998 to 2000 Honda Accord that they believe struck and killed Solomon King.

"Any information we can get is information we can follow up on," Galloza said. "We implore the community if they have any information on this to call us up and we can follow up on it."

Grace Buas, an art teacher at Wootton who taught Solomon King, helps Mieko King to pick a scholarship recipient every year.

"He was a very kind person, he had a hello for everyone," Buas said of Solomon King.

Buas said she also admired his courage. Solomon King had limited mobility in his right hand, due to extensive third-degree burns he suffered in middle school.

"Wendy was the perfect choice to honor him," Buas said. "She loves art and she works hard."

Kaufman hopes to pursue graphic design in the future. In addition to art classes at school and the class she will take at Montgomery College, Kaufman will be pursuing a graphic design internship with Clear Channel, a radio broadcasting corporation.