WA State Opportunity Scholars

Congratulations to Walla Walla High School seniors Kalea Soto, Alyssa Drader, Cana Baez, Erick Corona, Leslie Galindo, Karen Maldonado Fajardo, Lynely Salazar, Elena Simon  Salas and Fatima Rodriguez Perez for receiving Washington State Opportunity Scholarships. This scholarship funds up to $22,500 towards the cost of college for students majoring in a STEM career fields. 

“We are so proud of these students as any have been in our AVID program for four years and have the goal of becoming the first generation in their families to graduate from college,” said Walla Walla High School Science teacher Jen Hein. “This award reflects the sheer determination and grit they have exhibited throughout high school while the financial assistance will allow them to make their goal of going to college a reality.  In addition, as a science teacher, it is exciting to see so many students choosing to go into STEM fields.”

About the Scholarship:

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) was created in 2011 to address unfilled seats in the high-demand sectors that drive our economy like aerospace, engineering, technology and health care as well as rising tuition costs at Washington colleges and universities. Businesses and the Washington State Legislature joined forces to fulfill the promise of better education and career opportunities for Washington students. Together they have created a unique public-private partnership, with significant support from founding partners Boeing and Microsoft and matching dollars from the State. This first-of-its-kind program supports Washington students from low- and middle-income households to attain bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields including science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care through scholarships of up to $22,500 as well as professional development, skills-building workshops and genuine industry exposure to help increase the rate at which students enter our state's workforce.

PHOTO:

Front:
Kalea Soto , Alyssa Drader, Cana Baez, Erick Corona, Leslie Galindo

Back:
Karen Maldonado Fajardo
Lynely Salazar
Elena Simon Salas

Not Pictured:
Fatima Rodriguez Perez