Scholarship recipients receive their scholarship awards at the Champions of Diversity awards ceremony

Skagit Valley College, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, and Eastern Washington University honored young multicultural leaders from Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties April 27 at the 24th annual Champions of Diversity awards ceremony.  

The celebration was held at McIntyre Hall on SVC’s Mount Vernon campus. The evening honored many amazing students, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college. 

Scholarship recipients included: 

Skagit Valley College: Hailey Borchgrevink, Jada Alcaraz-Carter, Melanie Banda Gomez, Moises Rocha-Gonzalez, Aseret Martinez Lopez, Anthony Sanchez Mota, Alexia Sanchez, Estevan Santacruz Salazar, James Sims, and Zoe Holt-Ward 

Washington State University: Monyca Garcia Aguilar, Emily Reyes Menchaca, Gabriela Sosa, and Kevin Bonilla Zamorra 

Western Washington University: Traci Bates, Hailey Dizard, Aracely Cortes Garcia, Jessika Santiago Martinez, Amelia Dawn Nguyen, Lilia Davila Ortiz, Crow Peterson, Brynn Schmid, and Pablo Silva 

Central Washington University: Gracie Grant, Alfonso Garcia-Hilario, Payton McCree, Leia Moreno, and Julian Rodriguez 

Eastern Washington University: Abijah Fuimaono, Brady Guzman Tobon, and Juan Torres Huante 

In addition, 10th and 11th grade students were given a Champions of Diversity Award which included an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend a Youth Leadership Adventures (YLA) program of their choice during the summer of 2023. 

Champion of Diversity YLA award recipients: Miriam Alexa Garcia Jimenez, Eduardo Arreola, Ector Avila Ruiz, Carlos Barajas, Natalie Barth, Yarecxi Belen Perez, Madalynn Berg, VeyAna Bolden, Brandon Boyd, Adrian Carrillo, Khryza Castillo, Anicia Corey, Tania Corona-Lemus, Alexia Ceja Jimenez, Itzel Espinoza, Karla Estevez, Nain Esther Zacarias, Itzel Estrada, Miriam Garcia Gutierrez, Valerie Gerdes, Josue Hernandez, Shelby Hernandez, Acelynn Jackson, Hyojeong Jeong, Carla Jimenez-Nava, Hana Kang, Suhani Karwal, Jasmin Kaur, Margarita (Maggie) Litvachuk, Izaiah Lopez, Lauryn Lopez, Kimora Lynch, Calum Mannion, Ashley Mendoza, Rafael Nasera-Diaz Jr., Nathan Ojeda Lopez, Serafi Purcell, Mara Rotter, Finn Spragg, Lillika Taitano, Alessandra Tapia, Tania Vasquez Olivera, Lily Wood, and Avenitaly Zeferino Lucero. 

The Champions of Diversity awards ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of young multicultural leaders in our communities and honors them with scholarships ranging from $3,000-$10,000 from SVC and most of Washington’s public universities. 

SVC Champions of Diversity scholarship sponsors include: North Coast Credit Union, Skagit Regional Health, Skagit Publishing, SVC Board of Trustees, SVC Foundation, as well as many generous SVC employee and community donors. 

### 

Skagit Valley College is making a difference throughout Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties by providing access to higher education for all who seek a better future. Part of what makes our college special is that we are deeply committed to equity in access, achievement, and community. Whether you are training for a new job, beginning your college experience, finishing the degree you started, adding English language skills, or pursuing a high school credential, Skagit Valley College welcomes you.