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Foundation provides record support to students
SCHOLARSHIPS
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This spring the YVC Foundation provided a record amount of fnancial support to students. The Foundation, which began providing scholarships to students at Yakima Valley College in 1977, has cumulatively awarded $6.5 million in fnancial assistance to help students achieve their educational goals. During the 2021-22 academic year the Foundation awarded $770,000 to students, with average award amounts raised from $3,000 to $3,500. Foundation President Mary Sundquist noted that as post-secondary Foundation President Mary Sundquist, right, credentials become ever more essential to preparing individuals for highpresents award during 2019 ceremony. demand, well-paying jobs, the Foundation and its donors help ensure YVC provides an afordable pathway for students. “We salute those who have been responsible for the growth of the Yakima Valley College Foundation and encourage others to meet the challenge of equipping our young people for a productive future,” Sundquist said.
Grant provides assistance to undocumented students YVC received a $321,850 grant to provide fnancial aid to undocumented students who are residents of Washington state during the Spring 2021 Quarter. The funding, provided through the state’s Emergency Relief Grant program, supports resident undocumented individuals who demonstrate fnancial need but do not qualify for federally-funded student fnancial aid due to their citizenship status. “This emergency assistance is especially important for undocumented students, who do not qualify for many other forms of relief during the COVID pandemic,” Financial Aid Director Oscar Verduzco said. “Providing access to higher education for everyone in our community is essential to Yakima Valley College’s mission. We are grateful to be able to provide this funding to students who are working to achieve their dreams and are valuable members of the Yakima Valley community.” The grant was part of $5 million for undocumented students awarded to Washington institutions of higher education and administered through the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Yakima Rotary Trust and Club award YVC Students with scholarships for 2021-2022 Academic Scholarship
Each year the Rotary Club of Yakima awards academic scholarships to deserving students in the Yakima Valley. Four YVC students, all of whom are enrolled in the Running Start program, were awarded scholarships. Academic scholarships were presented to Miriam Board, Grace Erickson, Kaitlyn Kinley and Anna Stephenson.
Mollie Davis Scholarships The Yakima Rotary Trust, through the Mollie Davis Scholarship program, awards students up to $7,500 a year and up to $30,000 overall toward a bachelor’s degree program or up to $3,500 a year toward an associate degree. This year, YVC had 13 students selected for this award. YVC recipients include Dulce Brito, Aisha Cervantes Acuna, Alexis Dimas, Sindia Madrigal, Jose Luis Marmolejo-Cruz, Catherine Melchor Banales, Trinity Oden, Ruby Ramirez, Josue Rojas, Hanen Sarama, Ariana Soto, Anna Stephenson and Eveelin Vallejo.
Vocational Scholarship Each year, the Rotary Club of Yakima awards students enrolled in a 2-year vocational program with the vocational scholarships. YVC students selected include Edgar Pacheco-Rodriguez (AAS in Agribusiness), Jaime Barajas (AAS in Substance Use Disorder Studies), Blanca Cisneros (BAS in Business Management), Luz Delgado (BAS in Teacher Education), Adriana Navarro (BAS in Business Management) and Tearra Shipp-Wagner (AAS in Veterinary Tech). 11 Yakima Valley College
