High school scholarship winners: Standing (left to right) Viridiana Terriquez, Ariana Montes De Oca, Sofia Sanders Esquer, Isabella De La Osa; seated (left to right): Raquel Rodrigues, Autumn White, Mia Romo, Rhiley Grant; in frame: Kazandra Navarro
Judy White
At their annual Awards Program on April 24, The Women of Quail Creek (TWOQC) awarded nine $2,500 scholarships to young women graduating from local high schools this spring, thanks to generous support from Quail Creek residents over the past year.
Several common themes emerged among this year’s recipients. They are dedicated learners, supportive of their peers, and leaders in and out of the classroom. Most have been working part-time to help with family finances and save money for college expenses. Some will be the first in their families to attend college.
For the second year, students from Rio Rico High School were eligible to apply for TWOQC scholarships. Winners this year were Ariana Montes De Oca, Kazandra Navarro, and Viridiana Terriquez.
De Oca, a budding professional artist, will study graphic design at Pima Community College. Her art teacher spoke highly of her talent, and she was selected to design and complete a mural for her school. With a goal of returning to serve her community, Navarro is headed to the University of Arizona to study criminal justice. Not surprisingly, she was active in the Law and Public Safety and Interact service clubs at school. Animal welfare is a passion for Terriquez, who has volunteered many hours at the Santa Cruz County Humane Society and has been active in Future Farmers of America. She will begin her studies in veterinary science at Pima Community College.
Isabella De La Osa, Raquel Rodrigues, and Rhiley Grant are the scholarship recipients from Walden Grove High School. All are headed to the University of Arizona in the fall.
De La Osa, will pursue a business management degree and then possibly a law degree because of her interest in promoting women’s rights in the workplace. A degree in nursing is the goal of Rodrigues. While she has played in several of Walden’s bands, her passion for serving others through Interact projects has also been an important part of her high school experience. Grant is interested in pursuing a degree in child psychology. Difficulties faced by her peers during the pandemic shutdown has made her aware of the need teens have for sources of psychological help.
Sahuarita High’s three recipients are Sofia Sanders Esquer, Autumn White, and Mia Romo.
White is enrolling in the Bachelor of Science nursing program at Grand Canyon University. Her own health challenges have made her passionate about becoming a registered nurse. Romo was active in a number of student activities, including math competitions at the state level. However, her part-time employment experience at the La Posada community gave her the desire to pursue a nursing degree. Sanders Esquer is excited about the prospect of studying biomedical or chemical engineering at the University of Arizona. Though active on the volleyball team and in many other campus activities, she says her engineering classes have ignited a curiosity and passion for learning.
Good wishes to all these young women in their future careers.