Kelsey Barnes of Friday Harbor High School has been invited to participate in the USA Junior Nationals International Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, July 21-27.

The invitation came after an outstanding performance in the USA Junior Nationals all-state high school basketball competition at Bellevue Community College,

Kelsey is the daughter of Tom and Tina Barnes of Friday Harbor.

USA Junior Nationals holds one of the top amateur competitions in the United States and offers its program to promising basketball players who want to develop their skills and techniques through statewide, national and international competition.

The USA Junior Nationals offers competitions at about 42 sites in the spring with competitions scheduled throughout the South, Midwest, East and West coasts.

Athletes who demonstrate advanced skills, team leadership, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship go on to the next level of play, the USA Junior Nationals International Sports Festival in Columbus.

According to her family, Kelsey is excited to go to Columbus to play basketball and proud to be representing Friday Harbor. Kelsey loves playing basketball; she has played for school and Amateur Athletic Union teams for four years.

Invitation to the festival will expose Kelsey to several potential colleges and possibly a scholarship. The Barnes family is asking the community for assistance with the expenses for this trip. Donations can be made at the Whidbey Island Bank branch in her name.