DEF Awards 19 students with $90,000 in Scholarships

The Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) annual scholarship awards dinner was hosted on April 30, 2024 at the Dysart Unified Support Services Facility. DEF awarded $90,000 to 19 graduating seniors from the four Dysart Schools high schools, with scholarship funds to obtain higher education in their chosen fields. 

Students received their certificates in the presence of more than 140 guests including their families, Dysart Schools principals, counselors, administration, governing board members, scholarship donors, and community leaders and officers from Surprise and El Mirage. 

The dinner opened with the presentation of colors by the Valley Vista High School Color Guard and the National Anthem and entertainment sung by the Willow Canyon High School Theatre Troupe 690.  Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) sponsored and catered the dinner. 

This year was the introduction of the Shadow Ridge High School, Valley Vista High School, and Willow Canyon High School Alumni Awards. Ongoing donations are open for everyone to designate which high school they choose and can be accessed by visiting https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/scholarships.

The following scholarships were awarded: 

Subaru Superstore of Surprise/DEF $5,000 Scholarship: 

Dysart High School: Brooke Wilkins and Alexis Dytrt

Shadow Ridge High School: Cian Moore and Jarret Brooks

Valley Vista High School: Anh Khoi Doan and Emma Ramirez Points

Willow Canyon High School: Johanna Delgado and Lily Sekosky

Southwest Foodservice Excellence $5,000 Scholarship: 

Willow Canyon High School: Isabella Marquez

Valley Vista High School: Samantha Catalano

Randy Sterna Grand Opportunity $5,000 Scholarship: 

Shadow Ridge High School: Rylee Maki

Dysart High School: Alessandra Castillo

Dysart High School Alumni Eddie Rios Memorial $5,000 Scholarship: 

Dysart High School: Barbara Lopez and Bethany Bazin

Ty Timbrooks Memorial $2,500 Scholarship:

Dysart High School: Victor Mendivil and Diana Garcia-Romo

High School Alumni $5,000 Alumni Scholarship:

Shadow Ridge High School: Mbuseni Tshivhase

Valley Vista High School: Josiah Chang

Willow Canyon High School: Matthew Cabello

Dysart Education Foundation still has one scholarship available now through May 31, 2024. The scholarship is sponsored by the Surprise Public Safety Organization. Applications are accepted through the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) who is the administrator for DEF scholarships. Four scholarships in total will be awarded, with one for each high school.  The one-year scholarships totaling $500 each will be given in the first semester. Visit https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/scholarships for directions on filling out the application and for eligibility requirements.

The Dysart Education Foundation thanks and appreciates everyone that contributed to this memorable evening. DEF is a nonprofit 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 need 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 of the graduating school year and are administered by the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF). Visit https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/ for more information and to offer donations.