DEF Awards 17 students with $80,500 in scholarships

Along with the 2022 fundraising efforts and contributions from community partners, the Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) was able to award $80,500 to 17 graduating seniors from the four Dysart Unified School District high schools with scholarships funds to obtain higher education in their chosen fields.

The recipients were awarded their certificates at the fifth annual DEF Awards Dinner held at The Vista Center for the Arts in the presence of their families, principals, counselors, administration, governing board, community leaders from Surprise and El Mirage, and the donors of their scholarships.

The dinner also highlighted the talented high school students with the opening ceremony presentation of colors by the Dysart High School JROTC Color Guard, entertainment by Shadow Ridge High School Stellar FX choir, and Cohen Cunningham, a student photographer from Dysart High School who captured the memorable moments for these deserving scholarship recipients. Southwest Foodservice Excellence prepared the dinner along with the Valley Vista High School Career and Technical Education Culinary program instructors and students serving guests and preparing desserts. 

The following scholarships were awarded: 

Share the Love/DEF $5000 Scholarship  

Dysart High School: Maria De La Cruz, Khiya Maxwell, Danielle Lemoine, Nathan Balderas, Lesli Arredondo Matehuala

Shadow Ridge High School: Jessica Chappelle and Christian Franco

Valley Vista High School: Aiden Pinuelas and Aadem Isai

Willow Canyon High School: Trinity Kennemer and Ajianette Davis

Southwest Foodservice Excellence $5,000 Scholarship

Dysart High School: Hector Mora

Willow Canyon High School: Jake Sekosky

Dysart High School Alumni Committee $5,000 Scholarship

Dysart High School: Fabiola Reyna and Julian Laborin

Dr. Gail Pletnick Education Award $3,000 Scholarship

Valley Vista High School: Emma Sniff

Ty Timbrooks Memorial $2,500 Scholarship

Dysart High School: Briana Ramirez Medina

DEF is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1985 whose sole purpose is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities in the Dysart Unified School District through fundraising.  College scholarships are awarded to seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement and who are in need of financial assistance. 

DEF’s intent is to engage the community in supporting public education by stimulating community involvement in education.  Scholarships are available to apply in January through March 15 of the graduating school year and are administered by the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF). Visit www.defweb.org for more information and to offer donations.