Dysart High School Students Named QuestBridge Finalists

Three Dysart High School seniors were recently named QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship finalists.  Camila Ayala, Camila Bassoco, and Angelie Huynh went up against over 25,500 applicants nationwide for the honor.  Ayala, Bassoco, and Huynh were selected for exhibiting outstanding academic achievement, including strong writing skills, intellectual curiosity, resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed.

Founded in 1994, QuestBridge seeks to connect high-achieving students with top colleges and universities from around the country.  QuestBridge has over 50 college partners nationwide committed to providing high quality education at no cost to National College Match recipients. 

The scholarships cover tuition, room and board, books, and even transportation to and from their college campuses.  In addition to the financial benefits of the College Match program, all three students will have access to the QuestBridge Scholars Network for support during their collegiate years, and postgraduate support and networking opportunities through the Alumni Association.

Ayala is active both in her school and in her community via Key Club. This college-bound student also helps her peers navigate the college readiness pathway as part of her role in Dysart High School’s 'Be A Leader Club'.  Also a member of the school’s choir, Ayala loves showing off her creativity through music. Her top choice for college is the University of Pennsylvania where she hopes to study Criminology with the ultimate goal of a career with the FBI.

Bassoco is a three year member of Dysart High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination Program (AVID), a Key Club consultant, Student Council Senior Class Secretary, and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is also involved with the Surprise Youth Council and is enrolled at West-MEC.  Bassoco has her sights set on owning a business in the future and is still deciding on her top QuestBridge partner school. 

Huynh is also a member of Key Club and the Surprise Youth Council, in addition to being involved in the Theatre Program.  Huynh is a four year AVID student, and credits the class for her success in the QuestBridge Scholarship Program, saying, “[AVID] has pushed me to take charge of my future and take advantage of opportunities such as QuestBridge. I wouldn't have been encouraged to participate in QuestBridge if my AVID teacher, Alesha Wisbey, had not motivated me to apply.” Huynh’s number one match choice is University of Southern California where she’ll seek a major in Business Administration. 

All three students have already been earning college credit through the Dual Enrollment program as well as being members of the Estrella Mountain ACE Program.  They expect to graduate high school with a year’s worth of college credits.  

QuestBridge will announce their early decision college matches on December 2, 2024.  If Ayala, Bassoco, and Huynh are not matched during the early decision rounds, they will move on to the QuestBridge Regular Decision Round, where participants apply to additional QuestBridge partner schools and have all their application fees waived.  Students matched in this process receive a generous financial aid package and access to the QuestBridge Scholars Network and the Alumni Association.