Northern Arizona University is welcoming 20 first–generation recipients of the Dorrance Scholarship to the campus this fall.

The Dorrance Foundation for Education awarded 60 scholarships to Arizona high school students as its 2022 cohort. The prestigious scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families, provide financial access and academic support for recipients and enhance college persistence through unique enrichment experiences. Students must be Arizona residents, current seniors at an accredited Arizona high school, first-generation college students, obtain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, demonstrate a financial need by completing a FAFSA form and attend one of Arizona’s three major universities. The program package is worth more than $100,000 over four years; in its 23rd year, the Dorrance family’s support of this program exceeds $54 million.

“We are thrilled to welcome our largest class of Dorrance Scholars. In 1999, the Dorrance family established the program with a relatively small gift supporting 10 high school graduates,” said James Hensley, executive director of the Dorrance Foundation for Education. “It has been an incredible honor to shepherd the growth of this program, which has awarded over 560 scholarships to date.”

The 20 scholars attending NAU are:

• Scottiee Adkins, Phoenix Union Bioscience High School, Phoenix

• Haley Anglin, Academy of Tucson High School, Tucson

• Alejandro Arevalo Mendoza, Dysart High School, El Mirage

• Julia Bziukiewicz, Casteel High School, Queen Creek

• Cassie Gill, River Valley High School, Mohave Valley

• Colten Hannappel, Sunrise Mountain High School, Peoria

• Anastasiya Jonas, Bradshaw Mountain High School, Prescott Valley

• Aurora Marshall, Youngker High School, Buckeye

• Lucas Morais, Shadow Ridge High School, Surprise

• Joseph Parker, Deer Valley High School, Glendale

• Fiona Rasco, Moon Valley High School, Phoenix

• Kallie Reed, University High School, Tucson

• Kenley Reynolds, Amphitheater High School, Tucson

• Brooklyn Simmons, Campo Verde High School, Gilbert

• Marisela Siqueiros, Trevor Browne High School, Phoenix

• Trinity Sloan, Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, Prescott Valley

• Miguel Soto-Pachuca, Bourgade Catholic High School, Phoenix

• Daniela Valdovinos, Washington High School, Phoenix

• Emeline Whaley, Payson High School, Payson

• Ivanna Zarahut, Thunderbird High School, Phoenix

“We are so excited to welcome the 2022 cohort of Dorrance Scholars to NAU and look forward to their many contributions to our university,” said President José Luis Cruz Rivera. “We are grateful they have entrusted us to guide their educational journey and know they will accomplish great things—for themselves and for the communities they represent.”

In addition to receiving financial assistance, Dorrance Scholars participate in a pre-college summer bridge program and a humanities summer program. They also have the opportunity for international study and travel and innovative entrepreneurship experience, as well as mentoring and tutoring.

Congratulations to Robert Blanco, Jennifer Olague Carranza and Jesus Izaguirre (As well as Efrain Alcala) from the Dysart High School Class of 2021 who were named members of the Million Dollar Club for earning scholarships through the support of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.

Each year, the AVID cohorts are challenged to earn a certain amount of scholarship and grant money. In order to do this, they must apply to different colleges and universities as well as complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Their original goal was to earn 4.5 million dollars in scholarships and so far, the cohort led by Mr. Keegan Cook, has earned 6.2 million in scholarships.

The AVID students have made Demon history this year by earning this high honor and each have decided on a major. Robert is planning to become a Physical Therapist (M.D), Jesus strives to become a Civil Engineer, and Jenny plans to become a Biomedical Engineer. Last year, Ren Dickson from the class of 2020, was the first AVID student at Dysart High School to earn over a million dollars in scholarship offers.

The Dysart High School Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program has been a fixture at DHS since 2008 when it was first introduced to the district. AVID is a program that supports students in the academic middle who are motivated to attend post secondary education, but may not have all of the tools they need in order to be as successful as they can be in a college setting. A typical AVID student is one who has some motivation to be successful, is in the academic middle (2.5-3.5 GPA), possibly the first generation in the family to attend college, or has some other potential barrier to reaching post secondary education. Through the four year program, students are taught note taking skills, time management, test taking skills, collaboration and critical reading skills, and are supported as they tackle rigorous curriculum.

“We are so proud of our AVID students and can’t wait to see what path they choose to pursue next year,” said Alesha Wisbey, Dysart High School AVID Teacher and Site Coordinator.

Many teenagers would balk at a 4:00 a.m. wake up time, but Isabel Quintero Soria, cross country athlete at Dysart High School, laced up early to beat the heat each day and was committed to staying in shape and focused on the sport during the closures.

“It was difficult because of everything going on, but I made it my goal to run early everyday as the sun rose to make sure I did not lose focus,” said Quintero-Soria.

Isabel has been a member of the varsity cross country team since her freshman year. She started her journey with the team when Ivory Carson, Math teacher and cross country coach, encouraged her to try out.

“Coach told me about the team, and I tried out and was surprised at how fast I was and how much I enjoyed it,” said Quintero-Soria.

Coach Carson recognized her natural talent right away.

“At the Sectional Meet in 2017, Isabel told me the time she would run before the race, which was well beyond her personal best. She ran faster than the time she quoted,” stated Carson. “That day verified something I felt. Isabel is that quiet leader who does what she says and says what she does.”

Isabel has grown as an athlete and member of the team. She was chosen as senior captain this year to lead her close-knit team.

“My team is a family to me,” she said. “I have a different mindset when I am with them. We motivate one another and we just really just love to run together.”

Isabel not only looks to her team for strength but also her coach.

“Coach Carson is a father figure, he keeps us on track not only in sports but also in class he helps everyone out,'' she said. “He’s definitely the one to go if you need motivation or just someone to talk about life.”

Speaking of family, Isabel is the youngest of nine children and has a ton of support from her large household and her own personal cheering section at competitions.

“It’s crazy. I have five brothers and three sisters. It is awesome to hear them encouraging me from the sidelines during meets.”

Isabel competed in the AIA Division II State Cross Country Meet for the past three years and established herself as the number seven cross country runner all-time at Dysart High School. Her desire for her senior season is to move up the all-time list breaking the school record of 19:53.2 held by Gabriel Gomez. With a successful senior season, she will be inducted into the prestigious 100 mile club, an honor bestowed upon four year letter winners in cross country at Dysart High School.

“She inspires others to excellence,” said Carson.

In addition to cross country, Isabel ran track for the first time last season but it was cut short because of COVID-19. Even in the brief season she established herself as the two-mile specialist on the team placing sixth at the Richard Thompson South Mountain Invitational and earning fourth place running the lead-off leg in the 4x800 relay.

Isabel is working arduously to attain a cross country scholarship at an in-state college to major in Criminal Justice with the hope of becoming a lawyer or a detective.