ALPHA PHI ALPHA
Mission Focused
presents
Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients
Commemorating the 52nd year for Colorado Springs chapter’s awards to scholars in southern Colorado.
Asay, Natalie
Alum of: Pine Creek High School (District 20)
Rising Freshman at: Brigham Young University (Idaho)
Intended Major: Hospitality & Management (Experience Design)
Natalie’s determination to engage and communicate with all people resulted in achievement of American Sign Language certification. A captain cheerleader who focused on psychology classes while holding down jobs in fitness companies, Natalie believes strongly in helping others achieve balance in life and achieving it herself. Natalie most admires her grandfather for overcoming his tough family background to set a new moral standard for honesty that influenced his entire family, including Natalie.
Barbary, Zackury
Alum of: Falcon High School (District 49)
Rising Freshman at: Adams State University
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
Zackury is a doer. His watchword is: discipline. Zackury most admires his father for preparing him to be in the world and focusing him on getting things done.
Busby, Jathan
Alum of: James Irwin Charter High School (District 2)
Rising Freshman at: Colorado School of Mines
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
As a child Jathan’s driving force was to tinker with every technology and device in his home, which drives his desire to become an all star in STEM. Jathan most admires his grandfather who, throughout 30 years of work as a janitor in a nearby school, built a feeling of community among the staff and students there – an ability to build that Jathan hopes to carry on.
Ellison, Heather
Alum of: Mesa Ridge High School (District 3)
Rising Freshman at: Brigham Young University - Idaho
Intended Major: Pre-med (biomedical sciences)
Heather’s accomplished great performance in 10 advanced placement classes while making time for her family, holding down a job, diving, and playing in the marching band. A future heart surgeon who loves learning, Heather most admires her high school’s college preparation program teacher, Ms. Cordova – who is a master at teaching students how to learn – through the school’s AVID Program, which gives practical help for students planning their futures.
Fletcher, Alton
Alum of: Liberty High School (District 20)
Rising Freshman at: University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Intended Major: Business / Sports Management
An accomplished track & field competitor, Alton plans to enter the competitive field of managing business deals related to the sports industry. Alton most admires his uncle, Dr. Lou Fletcher, who set a positive example of educational achievement for his family and Alton’s late father who demonstrated love and determination as a single dad.
Graham, Eric
Alum of: Falcon High School (District 49)
Rising Freshman at: Morris College
Intended Majors: Health Science & Business
A dedicated community servant who focuses especially on integrating para-athletes in mixed basketball playing settings, Eric will take this passion for sports to serve others. Eric most admires Kevin Durant who, as an older professional basketball star sets a positive leadership example for younger players, especially through his generous philanthropy benefitting low-income kids.
Sandoval, Alexiana “Lexi”
Alum of: Arvada West High School (Jefferson County School District)
Rising Freshman at: Colorado Mesa University
Intended Major: Kinesiology – Athletic Training
A softball superstar who sets an excellent work ethic example for her younger sister (and for us all), Lexi seeks to bring her knowledge of how to overcome in competition to the field of kinesiology. Lexi most admires her grandmother who taught Lexi to “stand tall” literally and figuratively and was a constant support to Lexi’s immediate family.
Shepherd, Jackson
Alum of: Mesa Ridge High School (District 3)
Rising Freshman at: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Intended Major: Computer Science, Game Development
An avid studier of the human experience at play, Jackson is determined to make the e-gaming experience more engaging for users, and to bring a more inclusive and safe culture to (notorious) e-gaming companies. Yet, he wants to maintain flexibility in his career choices, which might evolve to one of his many other talents. Jackson most admires his grandmother who inspired his entire family by still helping along all her grandchildren while managing her own health challenges.