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 closed. The deadline to apply was 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 CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATIONS.

2021 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP RECEPIENTS

Jazmin Preston

Jazmin will be graduating with honors from Saguaro High School. She is the Senior Class Vice President and has been a National Honor's Society Member the last two years of high school. Aside from being a tri-lingual student-athlete, she also serves as a mentor to middle-school girls in her free time. Jazmin is the founder and President of an anti-bullying campaign and non-profit organization, 'One Kind'. She utilizes her fluency in sign language to volunteer weekly with the deaf, blind, and homeless community. She plans on continuing her passion for helping others at the University of Arizona while pursuing an education in Bio-Chemistry on the pre-med track.  

Jessica Gordon

Jessica will be graduating from Chaparral High School on May 27th. She played on the varsity softball team at Chaparral for four years. Following high school, Jessica will be attending Paradise Valley Community College where she received a softball scholarship. She will be getting a degree in exercise science and perusing a career in physical therapy.

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.

Aylin Garcia Lugo

Aylin Garcia Lugo will be graduating from Coronado High School as the class valedictorian. She currently holds the position of President in NHS and JAG, and is Secretary in HOSA and Sports Medicine. After Alyin graduates, she plans on attending Grand Canyon University to obtain a bachelor's degree in Pre-Medicine. She will then pursue her master's degree and then attend medical school. In the end, Alyin aspires to become a surgeon and save lives.

Cassandra Coppo

Cassandra will graduate from Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, after completing an all honors curriculum. She Competed nationally as a synchronized swimmer for Scottsdale Synchro, participated in Concert Choir, Thespians Society, and peer tutoring programs. She was appointed project manager for the Scottsdale Mayor's Youth Council, and worked as a junior editor for McDowell Mountain Living. Cassandra was selected to attend the Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute at ASU and will be majoring in Global Studies at ASU Barrett. She hopes to go on to work for the United States government, improving relations with Indigenous people, and eventually work to solve humanitarian crises globally. 

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.

Arianna Silva

Arianna will graduate Coronado High School where she was Cheer Captain of the varsity squad, Danice Captain of CHSazz, President of the International Club, Leadership Chair of JAG, Secretary of NHS, and was selected to give a speech during graduation day. Arianna is going to be a first generation student attending ASU at the Barrett Honors College where she will major in business tourism.

2020 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT 

2020 Scholarship Award Recipients William Noll, Eve Rennie, Jaclyn Fishbach, Carsten Ramirez, and Brianne Iannone.

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.

2017 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT 

2017 Scholarship Award Recipient Grace Sluga 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.