University Women of Sedona honored their six latest scholarship recipients at a recent luncheon. Three of the scholars are receiving financial assistance from the group for a second year and three are beneficiaries of the University Women’s generosity for the first time.
The scholarships awarded for the coming school year total the greatest amount in support ever offered by the local group. This is due to the fact that the members decided to increase the amount of the scholarships. Because of that increased financial support, all the awardees will be able to attend school as full-time vs. part-time students.
“University Women of Sedona members are so committed to their sense of obligation to pass on to the new generation the opportunity of education.” said Chairwoman Debbie Nellis. “There were a lot of tears shed by our committee when reviewing the worthy applications we received. We are thrilled to be able to help these deserving students.”
This year’s three new scholarship winners are Brandie Wolfe, Payton Budd and Chloe Donahue.
Brandie Wolfe is attending Yavapai College for a nursing degree. She is an Arizona native, living in Camp Verde for most of her life. She is a mother of three, a flower farmer, and a full-time student with plans to earn her BSN and ultimately pursue a career as a cardiac perfusionist. Brandie’s decision to enter healthcare was shaped by difficult life experiences. While pregnant, she found herself managing her husband’s long recovery from a coma while caring for a newborn and her daughters. Through it all, she held onto a guiding belief: “I wanted to turn my pain into purpose.”
Payton Budd is at Yavapai College training for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She was born and raised in Cottonwood. A recent certified nursing assistant, she will be working while furthering her education to become a radiology technician. Payton says that “Being successful in my future in important to me and it has always encouraged me to work hard towards my education to help achieve my goals in life.”
Chloe Donahue is studying at NAU to work in Child Protective Services. A Flagstaff native, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Political Science at Northern Arizona University. As a first-generation college student, Chloe has often felt like she’s building a map for others in her family. “Winning this scholarship from the University Women of Sedona affirms my dedication to education and motivates me to continue working toward my goals of promoting justice and positive change” claims Donahue.
Advancing their education with continuing support from University Women are Andrea Blake, April Beltran and Caysha Francis.
Andrea Blake is studying at NAU and is pursuing a double major in both Astronomy and Physics. She grew up in Tuba City on the Navajo reservation, is a mother of four, and excels academically. She has enjoyed two internships in her chosen fields and is looking forward to her studies. “I am sincerely happy that the University Women of Sedona Scholarship will continue to support me on my journey at Northern Arizona University.”
April Beltran is studying Nursing at Yavapai College. She is a dedicated mother of three who embarked on a transformative journey with her family, dedicating a decade to a community service project in India. Upon returning to the U.S. with a passion for public health, April plans is working on her bachelor’s degree in nursing, “…hoping to carve out a career in promoting community wellness in Cottonwood, and embodying a spirit of compassion and service to others.”
Caysha Francis is working to be a Dental Hygienist at NAU. She has lived in Cottonwood, though just moved to Payson, is a wife and mother to a one-year-old, and will finish her prerequisite courses at Yavapai College in the Fall and transfer to NAU for her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Having recovered from a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, she is reminded daily how much she has overcome to reach this opportunity. “I look so forward to my new career.”
The University Women of Sedona’s mission is to give scholarships to support women in furthering their educational opportunities to an accredited local college or university. The Sedona chapter meets on the first Monday of every month, September through May at 9:30 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church of Sedona at 25 Chapel Road. For more information, contact universitywmnsedona@gmail.com.