Shadow Ridge Student Wins Prestigious Flinn Scholarship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/30/2024

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Schools and Shadow Ridge High School senior, Carolyn Austin, was named a Flinn Scholar and will receive the prestigious Flinn Scholarship valued at more than $130,000.  

Austin is one of only 20 recipients across the state of Arizona, selected out of 1,045 applicants for her academic achievement, leadership and involvement, service to the community, ability to communicate, and personal qualities. She plans to attend Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, and major in Culture Technology and Environment, and will be finishing high school with a full year of college completed due to taking Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment classes. Austin is ranked ninth in her class of 546 and has a 4.625 weighted GPA.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and a football team manager. Austin is the first Flinn Scholar in Shadow Ridge High School’s history. 

“We are very proud of Carolyn and her accomplishments,” said Cedricia Hester, Shadow Ridge High School Principal. “She is the epitome of utilizing and maximizing high school as a springboard for the future. Carolyn's future is bright and we wish her all the best!” 

About the Flinn Scholarship 

The Flinn Scholarship, awarded annually to approximately 20 Arizona high-school seniors, is one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships in the United States. It supports four years of study at an Arizona public university, study abroad, personal mentorship by faculty and alumni Scholars, and many other benefits. The first Flinn Scholarships were awarded in 1986. The total award, provided via a partnership with Arizona’s public universities, is valued at more than $130,000. 

The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based, private, nonprofit philanthropic endowment established in 1965 to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. In addition to the Flinn Scholars, the Foundation supports the advancement of the biosciences in Arizona, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.