Student Spotlights 

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• Former TRIO participant Elijah Cota who graduated number one in his class from South Pointe High school was accepted and currently attending Dartmouth College studying Mathematics. Elijah was a part of the TRIO program for 2 years.

 

• Jennifer Robles, former TRIO participant graduated from Franklin Police and Fire High School in 2020. Currently attending Gateway Community College studying Medical Sonography. She is a 2020 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar.

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“This scholarship will help me so much and as well my parents. I thought I would be working nonstop to pay my tuition but thanks to the scholarship I will be able to focus more on school instead of working long hours. Thank you to the positive people that kept me on the right path. So thankful I was in the friendly house program!” –Jennifer Robles              

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• Wendy Gomez, former TRIO participant graduated from North High School in 2020. Currently attending Gateway Community college studying General Business. She is a 2020 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar. 

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“The benefits of this scholarship are my parents will no longer live in constant worry of me getting into debt, I will pursue my dream career, I will be encouraged to study and work harder than ever before, and it will give me the ability to continue my studies. This scholarship is a blessing and a gift. I will be forever grateful to each and every individual who has set me on this path. Thank you for everything but most importantly, thank you to everyone who believes in me. –Wendy Gomez 

 

• Diana Soto, former TRIO participant graduated from South Mountain High School in 2020. Currently is attending South Mountain Community College studying Nursing. She is a 2021 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar. 

“The Vicki Romero Foundation Scholarship will play a tremendous role in my journey to becoming accepted into a competitive program and graduate from it. With the Vicki Romero Foundation scholarship, I desire to stay true to my goal that is to become a Registered Nurse and to attend Arizona State University for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As a first-generation student that persevered against the odds to pave the path for future generations.” –Diana Soto

 

• Michelle Martinez, former TRIO participant graduated from Franklin High School in 2020. Currently is attending Gateway Community College studying Radiologic Technology. She is a 2021 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar.

 

“This scholarship will help me succeed in attending Gateway Community College because I’ll have less on my plate. . I promised myself I would do this not only for myself but for my family as well. I wanted to make them proud and most of all I wanted my Dad to be proud of me. My family won’t have to be worried about whether they’ll have enough money so I could achieve my goals. I’ve accomplished so much, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me. This hardship caused me to grow up fast but also pushed me to become the best version of myself.” –Michelle Martinez 
 

• Monica Ortiz, former TRIO participant graduated from North High School in 2019. She is a 2019 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar. Received her AA from Phoenix College in 2021 and is now attending ASU studying Environmental Engineering. 

 

• Keyla Mondragon, former TRIO participant graduated from Tempe High School in 2019. She is a 2019 Vicki Romero Foundation Scholar. Received her AA from Phoenix College in 2020 and is now attending ASU.