2024 Scholarship Winners

2024 Scholarship Recipient: 2-Year Institution

Rianna is the mother of a 20-month-old daughter and a 17-year-old son, both pillars of support her education journey. As the first in her family to pursue higher education, Rianna is currently in her fourth semester at Yuba Community College, working on prerequisites for Nursing school. In her pursuit of nursing, Rianna is driven by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives. Volunteering with the Hospitals & Institutions committee, bringing AA meetings to lockdown facilities and rehabilitation centers aligns with her passion for helping those in need. This volunteer work is not just a checkbox on Rianna’s resume; it is a personal commitment to giving back and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

 

2024 Scholarship Winner: 2-Year Institution

RaeAnna is currently studying Social Work and Addiction Studies at Marion Technical College. For as long as she can remember, she has been deeply passionate about helping others. RaeAnna came from a family of social service workers that inspired her passion for this future career. In 2022, RaeAnna started working at her community’s local domestic violence shelter. Each day this agency helps somebody achieve safety and independence from the cycle of violence. They create a safe space for people, and RaeAnna is grateful that she has the opportunity to be a part of that process for their clients. Her work in the social services field has motivated her to advocate for victims of violent crime.

2024 Scholarship Winner: 4-Year Institution

Jennifer Kinch is a Mining Engineering student at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. She is actively involved in professional organizations such as Women in Mining and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, and is the vice president of the Intercollegiate Mining Competition Team at the Colorado School of Mines. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys being outdoors, playing board games, doing art, and volunteering in her local community. After graduation, Jennifer aspires to earn her PE license while gaining experience in mining operations. Her current career aspirations are to work in either copper, gold or silver mining. She also hopes to travel the world to explore and discover different cultures as she loves meeting new people and learning about how they view the world.

2024 Scholarship Winner: 4-Year Institution

Alex is double majoring in Finance and Accounting at the University of Southern Indiana. Alex grew up in a small town in Central Pennsylvania and always dreamed of seeing the world. For the duration of his Fall 2023 semester, Alex had the chance to travel to Europe, Asia, and Africa with the Semester at Sea program. This was a dream come true for Alex as he loves to travel, try new things, and meet new people. Alex is double majoring in Finance and Accounting and hopes to further his education upon graduating by working towards his MBA. After college, Alex plans to enter the workforce and travel, exploring new places and ideas as he grows as a person and as a business professional.