AZEdNews is excited to announce that the next four AZEdNews Scholarship winners are Airam Bravo, Meagan Ballew, Gracie Henderson, and Miki Ysaguirre.

These four students’ scholarships, sponsored by ADM Group, provide each student with $500 to be used toward their post-secondary education at vocational/trade schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities.

Students submitted 1-minute video entries for the opportunity to win a scholarship. Scholarships funds re mailed directly to the post-secondary institutions the students choose to attend. AZEdNews plans to offer scholarships to graduating public high school seniors again in the future.

Jenifer Weskalnies, director of architecture for ADM Group, congratulated the students on their achievements and wished them well as they begin training for their careers.

“On behalf of ADM Group and our business partners, we want to say congratulations!” Weskalnies told the AZEdNews Scholarship winners in a video message. “2020 has been one of the most difficult years of my life. Like nothing I’ve ever seen. Still, you persevered, completed your coursework and graduated from high school.”

“ADM Group is committed to making a positive difference. We try in whatever ways we can to support our community,” said Wendy Odom, senior interior designer for ADM Group, in the video.

“Our participation in this scholarship was just one small way that we could help support you and your future. So, congratulations to the entire Class of 2020 and especially to you as a scholarship recipient. May these funds help support you and brighten your future,” Odom said.

“We are so proud of you, and as you start your transition to college or vocational training ADM Group and our business partners are honored to help you in this little way to help you transition to adulthood in one of the most challenging years we have all seen. So again, congratulations!” Weskalnies said.

Airam Bravo, who graduated from Saguaro High School in Tucson Unified School District, said she plans to study violin performance at University of Arizona.

“I am a first-generation Latina to go to college in my family. I was a 4.0 student in high school and in the Top 20 of my class. One of my greatest passions is music. I was concertmaster for two years in the top orchestra at my school,” said Bravo in her scholarship entry video.

“My ultimate goal is to become a doctor and give back to the Latino community,” Bravo said. “Receiving this scholarship will really financially support my career, like paying for my music expenses, my books, a news computer and a meal plan.”

“I will be using the scholarship to go to the U of A. Thank you so much AZEdNews for this opportunity,” Bravo said.

Gracie Henderson, who graduated from Tuba City High School in Tuba City Unified School District, said she plans to study engineering at South Mountain Community College.

“My family is my foundation. I love you and I carry your prayers with me,” Henderson said in her scholarship entry video. “I dedicate my senior year to my sister Jaymo, you are my inspiration. Too all my volleyball teammates, you are my forever sisters.”

‘To the 2020 seniors, we will be made stronger through adversity,” Henderson said. “I am proud to be a warrior and I pray to God to bless, protect and guide our upcoming journeys.”

“I’ll be using the scholarship to pay some expenses. Thank you AZEducationNews for this scholarship because it’s for my education,” Henderson said.

Meagan Ballew, a recent graduate of Shadow Ridge High School in Dysart Unified School District, said she plans to major in forestry at Northern Arizona University.

“I would love to have a scholarship, because everything costs a lot of money, and with $500 I would at least be able to pay for a month of food, because housing and food cost $10,700 a year,” Ballew said in her scholarship entry video.

“I’ll be using my scholarship to pay for a month of food, because I really like eating food and expensive to live up there. Thank you AZEdNews for my scholarship and I’m excited for this year,” Ballew said.  

Miki Ysaguirre, who graduated from Florence High School in Florence Unified School District, said she plans to study marketing at Arizona State University.

“If I’m fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I plan on putting that money toward my tuition there,” Ysaguirre said in her scholarship entry video. “With the degree, I plan on pursuing the business side of the film industry.”

“I believe that there are a myriad number of stories that aren’t being told, and I would like to have the opportunity to help someone tell their story,” Ysaguirre said.

“When I was younger, it would have meant a lot to me to see someone who looked like me or I could identify with on the big screen or any screen of any kind,” Ysaguirre said.

“If I can give that opportunity to the younger generation, I would be immensely happy, because I believe that everyone needs a story to hang onto,” Ysaguirre said.

“I plan to use the scholarship to further enrich my education, that way I can hopefully get into the movie and television business and try to make sure that there’s more representation in the media. Thank you, AZEdNews,” Ysaguirre said.