Ready Now Yuma Scholarship recipients named
Watch 6 students receive their $15,000 scholarships
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Helios Education Foundation and Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) have announced this year's recipients of the Ready Now Yuma Scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded annually to one student from each of Yuma County's six high schools. It's worth up to $15,000 a year, and it's renewable for up to three additional years. That's a total of $60,000 to help these students achieve their dreams.
“Helios Education Foundation is honored to provide scholarships to these deserving students,” said Grace Smith Kaus, Director, Postsecondary Success Initiatives for Helios Education Foundation. “These students have a bright future ahead of them and Helios is proud to help support their success, at this pivotal time.”
YUHSD and Helios surprised each student with a virtual check presentation ceremony. None of the kids had any idea they'd been selected. Their counselors told them they needed to answer a few questions to complete their scholarship application. Then they logged on, and got one of the best surprises of their lives.
“I just want to say thank you so much, this is huge,” said San Luis High School senior Naiara Avila. “I’m totally speechless. I feel blessed. I’m still kind of shaking.”
The scholarhips program supports graduating seniors who need help paying for college. There's not limit on their field of study. They must enroll in an accredited college or university and pursue a 4-year degree. The scholarship is renewable if students remain in good standing and maintain the required grate point average.
This year Helios and the Arizona Community Foundation considered almost 80 qualified applicants. They selected these six students:
2020 Ready Now Yuma Scholarship Recipients
| Student | High School | College |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Felix | Cibola High School | Northern Arizona University |
| Adrian Hernandez | Gila Ridge High School | Arizona State University |
| William Krueger | Kofa High School | Grand Canyon University |
| Naiara Avila | San Luis High School | Northern Arizona University |
| Iris Binuya | Vista High Schoo | Arizona Western College |
| Caroline Martinez | Yuma High School | Northern Arizona University |
Ready Now Yuma is a unique, student-centered initiative of YUHSD and Helios Education Foundation. It's goals include:
- Making sure every YUHSD student graduates and is prepared to succeed in college and career
- Embedding a high-expectation, college-going culture into the district
- Increasing the number of students who attend a college, university, or technical school following graduation.
