Top (left to right): Tori Ann Williams, Lily Riley, and Alexis Carron; bottom: Ayah Ghannam and Riley Williams
Deb Melton
For the first time, The Women of Quail Creek (TWOQC) has been able to award five high school seniors with scholarships to help them begin their post-high school education. The TWOQC Scholarship Committee has spent the last several years working closely with Sahuarita and Walden Grove High School counselors to build awareness of this scholarship opportunity, and their efforts have really paid off. Now, as girls enter their senior year, they start asking the counselors about this scholarship in advance. This year, 22 girls from the two high schools applied, and 13 were interviewed. Good grades were not the only criteria. Many are from single-parent households and have other siblings presently in college, making financial assistance a necessity. Therefore, financial need weighed heavily when it came to choosing the winners. Here are the 2021 winners:
Lily Riley is graduating from Walden Grove High School with nearly straight A’s, all while working at TJ Maxx and having a schedule packed with Advanced Placement and honors classes. Her goal is to become a veterinarian, a dream she has nurtured since she was five years old. Focused and enthusiastic during her interview, Lily’s love of animals will keep her going when her studies become difficult.
Tori Ann Williams is graduating from Sahuarita High School and plans to pursue a career in biomedical science. Tori Ann works at Silver Springs Retirement Home, and she is a member of the National Honor Society, high school band, and the award-winning school dance team. She is active in many clubs, does volunteer work, is well-rounded, and is highly thought of by her teachers. Tori Ann’s passion to help others will help her succeed.
Ayah Ghannam is graduating from Walden Grove High School and is president of the Rotary Interact Club. The first in her family to attend college, she is passionate and focused on becoming a lawyer. Member of the National Honor Society, captain of her high school basketball team, and first clarinet in the school symphonic band, Ayah is a born leader. Her passion for helping others and her community service helped her stand out and become one of this year’s winners.
Alexis Carron is graduating from Sahuarita High School and ranks third in her graduating class of 215. As commanding officer in NJROTC, along with participating in band, swim team, track, Math Club, and taking on a full schedule of honors classes, in addition to working as a sandwich artist at Subway, Alexis is truly exceptional. This scholarship will help her toward her goal of becoming a sports physical therapist.
Riley Williams is graduating from Sahuarita High School and is considering several career choices. She works at TJ Maxx and is an active leader and participant in the drama club. She is also a teaching assistant to the Mandarin teacher, helping her to design and organize language activities such as Tucson’s first Dragon Dance Team, which performed at Tucson’s Chinese Health Day, Chinese Culture and Language Day, Moon Festival Concert, and more. An outstanding student, Riley will be successful in whatever she decides to do.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! See the winners at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmIBD7_50M.