youth

scholarships

Each year, Community Celebrating Diversity offers youth scholarships to college-bound high school students. The sponsors of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event provides the funds for the scholarships.

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Since 2007, 45 students have been awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships. (2020)

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The 2021 scholarship cycle is now live. The deadline to apply is 4/15/2021.

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Please contact Joe Rusin at 480-205-8620 for further information.

scholarship

requirements

     The Community Celebrating Diversity Scholarship is funded by the corporate sponsors of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. CCD sponsors five $2,500 scholarships (two for pursuing a STEM degree and three for general education) to high school graduates who show promise of continued excellence in academics and community service.

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     These scholarships are for study at post-secondary institutions of higher education in Arizona. The following selection criteria are utilized in identifying our scholarship recipients:

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• The eligible student must be a full-time resident of Arizona and has community involvement in Scottsdale.

• The eligible student must be a U.S. citizen, or provide evidence that he or she is a permanent resident of the United States.

• The eligible student must be a graduating high school senior with a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.

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THE 2021 SCHOLARSHIP CYCLE IS NOW OPEN. PLEASE APPLY BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATIONS.

2020 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP RECEPIENTS

William Noll

William graduated from Saguaro High School. He was a member of Student Government, FRC Robotics, Vex Robotics, and president of the Math and Science Academy at Saguaro High School. Utilizing the 4+1 program, he is attending Barrett at Arizona State University, with a major in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. His goal is to positively impact the healthcare system, whether it be through designing prosthetic limbs and synthetic organs, or through genomics research.

Carsten Ramirez

Carsten graduated from Saguaro High School. He was the president of 2 clubs at Saguaro, and he started one club. He was the captain of the Saguaro baseball team for 3 years, and maintained a 4.0 gpa during that time. He has committed to Arizona State University and is planning on majoring in psychology and social work. He is also planning to return to Saguaro to be the social worker, while starting a non-profit organization to aid teens fighting depression and anxiety as well as giving them financial aid to get the help they need.

Max Walker

Kaitlyn is graduating from Desert Mountain High School is ranked 69/534 in her class, and won Division I state titles for the tennis team two years in a row. She first became involved in community service when she was a Girl Scout in 3rd grade. Kaitlyn has volunteered for Miracle League, Feed My Starving Children, Helping Hands, St. Vincent De Paul, her church, and Shoebox Ministry, where they fill shoe boxes with essential personal hygiene supplies for those people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. She plan’s on studying Business at the Honors College at NAU.

Max Walker

Kaitlyn is graduating from Desert Mountain High School is ranked 69/534 in her class, and won Division I state titles for the tennis team two years in a row. She first became involved in community service when she was a Girl Scout in 3rd grade. Kaitlyn has volunteered for Miracle League, Feed My Starving Children, Helping Hands, St. Vincent De Paul, her church, and Shoebox Ministry, where they fill shoe boxes with essential personal hygiene supplies for those people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. She plan’s on studying Business at the Honors College at NAU.

Brianne Iannone

Brianna Iannone graduated from Chaparral High School in May 2020 where she was a student athlete and excelled academically. She is a Gold Award Girl Scout, a Best Buddies Mentor, a DECA medalist, and involved in several clubs. She created a project called Learn Through Play, a program for children educating them about different neuro and physical disabilities. She solicited donations and opened three adapted toy libraries for children with special needs. She also enjoys teaching girls camp survival skills and archery. She will attend Arizona State University and major in Business Management. 

Eve Rennie

Eve graduated from Saguaro High School. She says that her time spent at Saguaro High School was full of amazing memories and relationships. Through her involvement in various clubs like National Honors Society, Interact Club, International Club, and Spanish Honors Society, she has learned many life lessons and leadership skills. She graduated in the top 5 percent of her senior class. In the fall she will be attending Arizona State University Barrett Honors College and will be majoring in Human Nutrition and pre-medical studies with a minor in Spanish.

Mia Powell

Mia will be graduating from Desert Mountain High School in May 2019. She strives to help others and does so by volunteering in the Special Needs Ministry at her church each Sunday. Mia also volunteers with the Matthew 25 Project, a non-profit organization that feeds the homeless once a month. After graduation, Mia plans to attend the University of Arizona to study Biology. With that degree, she would like to pursue a career in Forensic science and continue to help others in any way she can.

Jaclyn Fishbach

Jaclyn graduated from Desert Mountain High School in May 2020. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction. At Desert Mountain, she was a member of the National Honor Society and DECA. She is an active member of NCL Cactus Wren, an intern with Leadership Society of Arizona, a weekly volunteer at the Eckstein Center of Hospice of the Valley, a service dog raiser with Power Paws Assistance Dogs, and the owner of Pawsome Pet Services, LLC. She will attend the Barrett Honors College at ASU, and double major in marketing and psychology.

2019 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT 

2019 Scholarship Award Recipients Ally Lugowski, Pilar Artega, Mia Powell, Kaitlyn Moorehaed, and Max Walker (not pictured) with the MLK Event Scholarship Committee, CCD Board Members, and Sponsors.

2018 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT 

2018 Scholarship Award Recipients Analisa Peterson and Maheeyah Mukarram with the MLK Event Scholarship Committee, CCD Board Members, and Sponsors.

2017 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT 

2017 Scholarship Award Recipient Grace Sluga with the MLK Event Scholarship Committee, CCD Board Members, and Sponsors.