scholarship
recipients
Women's Impact Network of Eagle County has received hundreds of applicants in just two years. Seven Eagle County students have been selected after rigorous hours of reviewing, collaborating and decision-making. We are proud of our growing community of WIN Scholarship Recipients!
2023-2024
school year
alessandra
MEDRANO
Environmental Science and Sustainability have her heart. To pursue her desire to help protect and care for the environment, Alessandra plans to obtain her bachelor's degree in Environmental Conservation and Management from Fort Lewis College in Durango.
about
ALESSANDRA
Alessandra is attending Fort Lewis College in Durango. She would like to pursue a career in Environmental Science and Sustainability and obtain a bachelor's degree in Environmental Conservation and Management. While in high school, she participated in a class called P-TECH, which aimed to teach students about sustainability and different careers that involve this subject. While in this class, she had a growing passion for sustainability. She desires to help protect and care for the environment. Going to Fort Lewis College is her dream school because of its focus on sustainability. Their classes also allow students to participate in internships that will allow her to work hands-on in a career she is passionate about. She has always enjoyed her time in school and learning about new concepts.
bekhruz
KHONTURAEV
With the desire to one day become a pilot, Bekhruz will be attending Embry-Riddle Astronautical University.
"Despite the walls built around me, I managed to climb it and knock it down to build a path for myself. Through all of the hardships I’ve been through, I learned even if you are behind and others have a head start, you can always catch up and go beyond what you thought you were capable of. Coming to America taught me tenacity and because of this experience, I always keep pushing forward no matter what."
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about
bekhruz
Bekhruz is attending Embry-Riddle Astronautical University and hopes to one day become a pilot. After completing his education and training, he plans on working as a flight instructor, where he can build up my flight hours and train the next generation of pilots. Once he has gained enough hours, he will apply to a major airline. Moving to the US as a young boy inspired his desire to become a pilot. He also went from not speaking any English to rising to the top 15% of his class.
ELIAS PENA
Kicking things off at a two-year community college in Lancaster, CA, Elias hopes to become a firefighter before continuing on to a 4-year university to work towards his BA.
about
ELIAS
Elias is attending Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, CA. This is a two-year community college at which he intends to receive a degree in Fire Science/Technology to become a firefighter. While pursuing his degree, he will follow a childhood dream to play baseball at the collegiate level for the AVC Marauders. After two years at Antelope Valley College, he hopes to continue his athletic career at a 4-year university and work towards a BA in Business or Sports Management. Elias was captain of his baseball team at EVHS and felt that becoming a firefighter would allow him to feel part of a team while contributing to the community.
magi GRANOVA
Passionate about the environment, mental health, and volleyball, Magi plans to attend the University of Central Florida where she will double major in Marketing/Public Relations and Psychology.
about magi
Magi is attending the University of Central Florida, where she plans to double major in Marketing/Public Relations and psychology. There, she hopes to join various clubs and organizations that will allow her to immerse herself in the Knight community and create lasting relationships with those around her. She plans to join Active Minds, an organization that educates students about mental health and fights to combat the stigma around it; Ballroom Knights, a ballroom dancing club; and Scuba Knight club, where students can learn how to scuba dive and understand ocean conservation efforts. She is also an avid volleyball player and writer who plans to enhance her writing skills in a productive, inclusive, and positive environment. She hopes to one day take her degree back to the Vail Valley and use her knowledge of public relations and marketing to help support local nonprofits' marketing efforts.
LESLIE HERNANDEZ
Planning on becoming the best version of herself, Leslie will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder!
about LESLIE
Leslie is attending the University of Colorado Boulder and is currently undecided on what she wants to major in, but hopes that she can become the best version of herself. Getting to college was a major accomplishment for her and her family since her parents immigrated from Mexico when she was young. Her parent's journey across the border made her want to take advantage of all opportunities given to her. While in school, she hopes to explore as many opportunities as possible, possibly play volleyball, but most importantly, create meaningful connections and relationships with her peers.
2022-2023
school year
Ngimi Sherpa
Graduating from Battle Mountain High School, Ngimi will pursue a degree in Pre-Law/Political Science at University of Colorado-Boulder.
When someone delves into their passion and uses that force to make a difference in the world is when things will flourish. It is always about what changes an individual wants to make in life and their dedication toward that. I am committed to following my passion and using that to push myself toward achieving my goals. By using my passion as a source of motivation, I truly believe that I can accomplish anything including the change in the world that I strive for.
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about Ngimi
Ngimi is a first-generation student whose family immigrated from Nepal when she was in middle school. Because of her experience watching her parent navigate the immigration process, she was inspired to become a lawyer to help other families like her who were going through the challenging process of trying to become citizens. Ngimi believes "When someone delves into their passion and uses that force to make a difference in the world is when things will flourish. It is always about what changes an individual wants to make in life and their dedication toward that. I am committed to following my passion and using that to push myself toward achieving my goals. By using my passion as a source of motivation, I truly believe that I can accomplish anything including the change in the world that I strive for."
Christi San Diego
Graduating from Eagle Valley High School, Christi will pursue a degree in Sociology and Psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
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I am ready to go out and not only change the world, but inspire others to follow my lead.
about Christi
Christi is a student motivated by equity, diversity and inclusion and has worked hard throughout her time in high school to participate in programs such as Youth Equity Alliance and Mountain Youth to inspire change in her school and community and is determined herself to rise above experiencing poverty. During her time in high school, Christi "initiated positive change within [her] school community and inspired many other students to pursue it too. [Her] love for helping others has accomplished many great things and [she] knows it'll only continue from here." She proudly believe she is "ready to go out and not only change the world, but inspire others to follow my lead"
Jaquelyn chavez
Jaquelyn graduated from Eagle Vallet High School and is attending Aim Community College to study Aviation.
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Every unusual circumstance can have a positive impact if you choose to take it and make it one.
about
jaquelyn
Jaquelyn has wanted to become a pilot for years and has the goal of not only learning to fly a plane, but to use her ability to travel across the world to experience new places and spread awareness about issues she cares about. Jaquelyn is passionate about helping spread awareness about substance abuse and addiction. She presented in front of Colorado representatives, senators and lawyers to advocate for more awareness and change around supporting people with substance abuse issues and hopes to continue being a voice and advocate for those who need it. She believe that "Every unusual circumstance can have a positive impact if you choose to take it and make it one."
Ava Crowely
Ava graduated from Vail Mountain School and is attending the University of Colorado-Boulder to study Business.
I shape my actions around finding understanding and appreciation for diversity instead of using differences to separate us.
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about ava
Ava considers empathy to be one of her biggest strengths. Having grown up with a sister with different abilities, she understand the power of living life with and understanding and compassion for others around her. She believe "Intention constantly remains at the forefront of my mind. I have Audrey to thank for the friendships I've built, the success I've found in school, and the passion I have for working and interacting with people from all walks of life because even in the most challenging times, compassion for others and myself always carries me through. I shape my actions around finding understanding and appreciation for diversity instead of using differences to separate us." She hopes to study business at CU Boulder with an emphasis on mathematics, but mostly hopes to use business as a way to gain meaningful connections and relationships with others.
2021-2022
school year
ana garcia
Graduating from Eagle Valley High School, Ana will pursue a degree in Allied Health at Azusa Pacific University.
Since I was a little girl I dreamed of going to college, however I knew we did not have the financial means to do so. With this in mind, I knew that the only way for me to reach my goal would be through an immense amount of support. WIN has exceeded the support I could only dream of. I am so excited to establish the foundation of future students who also dream big. Thank you for making it a reality.
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about ana
Ana is a first-generation, Latina student who is attending Regis University in Denver to pursue a degree in Nursing. Because her family understands the difficulties of navigating the U.S. healthcare system as immigrants, she is particularly dedicated to helping serve the Hispanic community through her education in nursing.
In high school, Ana was involved in programs such as Mountain Youth, My Future Pathways, and Children's Global Alliance, where she discovered her passion for helping others on a service trip to Nicaragua. “I encountered the souls of kids my age who constantly had to overcome living with a disability at a poverty level,” she says. “ It is because of them I believe that the way to overall global success is with education and passion. That is why I hope to dedicate my academic journey to those who aspire to the same goals but can't afford to achieve them."
Ana has dreamed about going to college since she was a little girl, and she put in the hard work to get there.
"It is through the hard work that Ana has put in over the last three and a half years that have shown me that she is a bright, hard-working, and compassionate young woman with a strong future ahead of her,” says Devin Dupree, the Science Department chair at Eagle Valley High School.
AJOYAH BROWN
Graduating from Battle Mountain High School, Ajoyah will pursue a degree in Nurse-Midwifery at the University of Colorado-Denver.
I’m so grateful and honored to have received this scholarship. It’s comforting and warming to know I was considered. [Women’s Impact Network of Eagle County] has taken so much off of my family, and they’re helping make my goals become a reality.
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about AJOYAH
Ajoyah is a first-generation student who is attending University of Colorado Denver with the goal of becoming an OBGYN. “I would love to become a midwife simply because I have observed healthcare professionals fail my family friend,” she says. “It fueled me to help make a change in the medical field and help people in some way or form."
Ajoyah’s family is originally from Jamaica. Years ago, they made the difficult decision to split up, sending Ajoyah to the U.S. to live with her dad and let her pursue her education while her mother and sisters reside back home. As one of the few Black students at her school, she has become passionate about advocating for more discussion and curriculum around racial justice and has discovered her passion for serving others, fueled by her own experiences of injustice.
“Ajoyah has incredible drive that most adults even lack, and she has consistently been seeking ways to push herself to meet her goals,” says Melissa Spencer, an AVID Teacher at Battle Mountain High School.
WILSON ELLIOT
Graduating from Eagle Valley High School, Wilson will pursue a Business Degree with a potential minor in Fine Art at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
I am absolutely speechless and have no words to express my gratitude and appreciation! The scholarship I was awarded has relieved so much financial stress on my family and me, not to mention the countless opportunities it’s given me!
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abouT WILSON
Wilson is attending University of Colorado Boulder to pursue a degree in Business and Marketing. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and an exceptional artist, Wilson strives to bring people together and give them a voice through his creations. “I hope to create things that build communities and bring people together,” he says. “I hope to push my identity and show the world that helping others is what matters to me.”
Wilson was highly involved at his high school, working with clubs and organizations such as National Honor Society, Youth Celebrate Diversity, and YES Equity School Group. He was also Editor-in-Chief for his school art magazine, a producer at EVTV (the school's news channel), the captain of the alpine ski team, and he participated in track and field, soccer, and cross country.
“Wilson uses his questioning and observation skills to recognize how and where he can be most effective,” says Hannah Shapiro, a journalism teacher at Eagle Valley High School. “He has a hunger for knowledge and penchant for inquiry, and he is dedicated to solving problems impacting the environment and society.”
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