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.
Since 2007, 57 students have been awarded a total of $139,000 in scholarships. (2023)
The 2024 scholarship cycle is now open.
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.
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.
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The eligible student must be a U.S. citizen, or provide evidence that he or she is a permanent resident of the United States.
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The eligible student must be a graduating high school senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
THE 2024 SCHOLARSHIP CYCLE IS NOW OPEN
2023 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP RECEPIENTS
Kaitlyn Cross
Kaitlyn graduated with honors from Cactus Shadows High School. Beginning in the fall, she will be attending Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University. Throughout high school, Kaitlyn has pursued her passion for community service through volunteering with her faith community, her local YMCA, and others. She also has led efforts to improve her school through her work with the Student Council and the Superintendent’s Student Cadre. While at ASU, Kaitlyn plans to pursue leadership and communication studies with the goal of eventually working to help others reach their potential.
Sofia Vitaro
Sofia is a graduate from Desert Mountain High School's International Baccalaureate program. She will be attending the University of Arizona where she plans to study marketing. Sofia found her passion for the business world in her school’s DECA chapter, which is a competitive business club. As a chapter vice president, she had the opportunity to write an in-depth marketing plan and present to a judge at the state level and qualified to compete at the international level. Sofia is also a competitive swimmer and shares her love of the water as a lifeguard and a swim instructor.
Zack Okun
Zack graduated as valedictorian of Desert Mountain High School. He is a natural changemaker, founded STEMducate, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering STEM programs, competitions, and resources to 7,000+ students in 11 countries and 24 US states. Zack is president of SUSD’s Student Advisory Board, Desert Mountain's Robotics Team, Science National Honor Society, and Advanced Placement Student Association; and treasurer of: DMHS’s Student Government and Ambassadors program. Zack will be attending Barrett, the Honors College at ASU, to study Manufacturing Engineering.
Anna Schultz
Anna is a graduate from Cactus Shadows High School. Anna will be attending The University of Arizona, majoring in business marketing with a minor in journalism. In High School, she was a member of the National Charity League and served over 200 service hours at various philanthropies. She was Captain of the Girls Varsity Basketball team and led her team to the second round of playoffs. She was also a member of The National Honor Society, Superintendent’s Student Cadre, Key Club and Student Council Ambassadors at school. In the future, she hopes to one day write for a company, travel the world, and continue her philanthropic journey
2022 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT
2022 Scholarship Award Recipients Natalie Foster and Esther Low.
2021 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT
2021 Scholarship Award Recipients Jazmin Preston, Jessica Gordon, Aylin Garcia Lugo, Cassandra Coppo, and Arianna Silva
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.
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.
