We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Believe in Me Scholarship recipients! This scholarship plays a pivotal role in fostering education and diversity, and it’s our privilege to support students who demonstrate exceptional potential and perseverance. With pride and joy, we unveil the names of these bright individuals who will shape our future.
Celebrating Our Recipients
The 2024 Believe in Me scholarship has been awarded to ten remarkable students, each with a unique story of determination and hope. Let’s meet our inspiring awardees:
Bailey Jade Dexter ($7,500): Bailey Jade Dexter is a committed, resilient, and driven individual aspiring to pursue a master’s in Human Physiology at Gonzaga, aiming to specialize in plastic surgery to provide accessible medical care in low-income areas, particularly in her home community of Spokane.
Bryan Chel Lara ($5,000): Driven by his family’s resilient background, Bryan aspires to build generational wealth and support underprivileged youth through business-focused education at Gonzaga University.
Brianna Horner ($5,000): Brianna is dedicated to social work and sociology, focusing on empowering communities and addressing social injustices, influenced by her personal experiences and commitment to societal improvement.
Diego Gonzalez ($2,500): Diego is dedicated to using his Criminal Justice degree to advocate for social and legal justice, especially for low-income people of color, inspired by his own experiences and the support from his sister.
Josue Lara ($2,500): The first in his family to attend college, Josue is studying Business Administration to improve his education and set an example for his younger brothers, driven by his mentor’s influence and his own experiences.
Vida Borrego ($2,500): Fueled by her passion for education and a desire to give back to her community, Vida’s goal is to inspire young minds as an elementary teacher.
Adrian Ontiveros ($2,500): Adrian is pursuing a business degree to gain skills for starting a family-first business. He is driven by his journey through cultural challenges and inspired by the transformative mentorship he received.
Alima Tambwe ($2,500): Motivated by her challenging childhood in Burundi, facing inadequate medical resources and personal hardships, Alima is driven to study medicine to help children in need, especially those from underserved communities.
Von Pavlischak ($2,500): Having overcome personal challenges and embracing his identity, Von is set to attend Eastern Washington University with a focus on biology, anatomy, and health sciences, aiming for a career in forensic pathology.
Joanna Zebadua ($2,500): Aiming to specialize in spine care as a physician assistant, Joanna is inspired by her own recovery from a serious back injury. She demonstrates resilience by pursuing her studies in the U.S. and overcoming personal challenges.
Scholarship Details and Eligibility
This scholarship is tailored for first-generation, post-secondary education-seeking students in Washington State, Northern Idaho, or Oregon. Eligible candidates are those attending a two-year or four-year college, university, private career school, or trade school, maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA, or holding a GED. Applicants must be 24 years of age or less, demonstrate leadership, grit, and perseverance, and belong to any of the identified marginalized groups. Two community references and involvement in extracurricular activities are also essential criteria.
Through these scholarships, we aim to empower students to pursue their educational and career goals without financial constraints. The joy and relief expressed by our recipients are a testament to the life-changing impact of this support.
Future Plans and Additional Funding
While we have awarded $35,000 in scholarships this year, we are excited to announce that the remaining $15,000 will fund a tutoring scholarship program. In collaboration with Whitworth University and Mathnasium, this initiative is designed to assist students from preschool to 12th grade facing educational challenges, providing much-needed academic support.
A Community Effort for Education and Diversity
Supporting education and diversity is not just an investment in individual students but in the future of our community. We encourage you to join us in this cause by applying for the next round, contributing, or simply spreading the word. Our heartfelt thanks go to our donors, partners, and the community for making these scholarships a reality.
Discover the scholarship opportunities we offer by visiting www.believeinme.org/scholarships. Your support is crucial to our success, and we welcome any form of contribution. Get involved with our cause – whether through volunteering, raising awareness, or making a donation – every effort you make significantly enhances our ability to positively influence the lives of deserving students. Join us on this transformative journey to make a lasting difference. Let’s work together to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.
