Peggy McGee
Thanks to the Green Valley Chapter’s donation, five students pursuing undergraduate degrees and one entering a graduate program will find the financial challenges of higher education a little less daunting.
Naval JROTC cadet Karson Darre from Sahuarita High School was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. She has been accepted into Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, where she will major in psychology and criminology. She also plans to participate in the ROTC program and after graduation hopes to earn a commission in the Air Force with the goal of serving as Special Investigations Officer.
Also receiving a $2,500 scholarship was Army cadet, Kyara Valencia, who is graduating from Rio Rico High School. Kyara plans to major in Biological Sciences with a pre-veterinary focus and ultimately enter the University of Arizona’s Department of Veterinary Medicine program.
Four veterans, all enrolled full time at the University of Arizona, were awarded $1,000 grants. These grants can be used to pay for educational expenses not covered by the GI Bill (lab equipment, uniforms) or to purchase laptops or pay parking or childcare expenses).
Jake Cortez, an Air Force veteran, served as an Airborne Linguist speaking Mandarin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, graduating in 2026. Jake is currently working as an intern for the Sandia National Laboratories in N.M. He will be continuing at UA in their Master’s program in the fall semester.
Tonny Ann Espinoza served six years in the Navy on active duty and then transferred to the Navy Reserve to enable her to enter college full time. While on active duty she served as a Cryptologic Technician Interpretive Korean linguist. She hopes to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cyber Operations in 2027 and then return to active duty and eventually earn a commission as an Intelligence Officer.
Another Air Force veteran, Travis Johnston, served as a Fire Protection Craftsman while on active duty and then as fire captain and inspector. He is pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences at UA. His experiences with trauma in the military as well as in civilian life made him realize the importance of sound mental health. He hopes to ultimately develop rehabilitation and recovery programs designed for service members and First Responders.
Army veteran Hunter Garmino became a medic/health care specialist after graduating from basic training. His military experience confirmed for him that something medical related was going to be part of his identity. Now at UA to study biomedical engineering, he ultimately hopes to return to active duty and become a surgeon with the Army’s sending him to medical school.