Charros boost college career for local graduates
May 19—Spring Training isn't just a fun activity that generates business for local merchants — it also plants the seeds of higher education.
Over the last five decades, the Scottsdale Charros and the Charro Foundation have donated millions of dollars through grants and donations to local charities.
One of the biggest recipients of Charros funds is the Scottsdale Unified School District — more specifically, its annual high school graduates.
At a recent banquet, the Charros overwhelmed soon-to-be-grads with massive jump starts to their college educations.
According to Dennis Robbins, executive director of the Scottsdale Charros, "The total value of all of the scholarships awarded at our Education banquet was $197,500.
"Most of the funding for these scholarships comes from our Spring Training efforts and our title sponsor, Grand Canyon University," he added.
A new $50,000 scholarship this year was made possible by Steve and Kacey Johnson of Safe Haven Defense.
Natalie Golden, soon to be leaving Chaparral High School, won the Safe Haven Scholarship.
"Natalie's application really stood out because of her exemplary work ethic, selfless dedication to caring for others, and her aspiration to return to the Scottsdale community to further her work and passion for helping children after she completes her nursing degree at the University of Arizona," Robbins said.
Future Teacher Scholarships were awarded to Chaparral High's Scarlett Campbell and Saguaro High standout Sophie Donda.
According to the Charros, "Scarlett says teaching is a family tradition. She says for as long as she can remember, she has been told she would be a teacher. Her mother, her grandmother, and nearly every woman before her has been a teacher."
She will attend the University of Arizona to pursue a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in English as a Second Language.
Sophie Donda will attend Arizona State University to study language arts, social studies and art.
Ireland Shay of Pinnacle Peak High School was awarded a Public Safety Cadet Scholarship. The busy senior is in the Spanish Honors Society and volunteers with Red Cross Blood drives, in the kitchen at St. Vincent De Paul's and with Scottsdale Police Department in the cadet program.
Madilyn Messenger of Arcadia High School scored the Scottsdale Community College Scholarship. She is a member of the National Art Honor Society and National Charity League and recently received the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts.
She will begin her studies at SCC, pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management offered by NAU on SCC's campus.
Arcadia High star student Lucy Leivian won a Scottsdale Champion Scholarship. Ready to graduate with a 4.9 GPA, she is president of the National Honor Society and plays indoor and beach volleyball. She plans to attend the University of Arizona, where she will learn the skills to become a teacher.
David Strow of Desert Mountain High School is another Charros scholarship recipient after building a 4.8 GPA. He plays violin in the school orchestra and recently completed his Eagle Scout project with Southwest Human Development to assist children with cortical vision impairment.
David plans to study computer engineering at the University of Arizona.
The Outstanding Future GCU Student award went to Ebenazer Amelga of Arcadia High School.
After playing basketball and football at Arcadia, he plans to play club basketball at GCU and study computer science with an emphasis in game and simulation development.
