Area students receive scholarships from Eastern Arizona College

By Erin Larson

THATCHER – Eastern Arizona College’s 32nd annual Scholarship Banquet was held earlier this month to recognize the scholastic achievements of 58 EAC students.

The banquet, held at EAC’s campus in Thatcher, recognized donors and recipients of nearly 40 scholarships. Many of the scholarships are annually funded by the generous contributions of various organizations and individuals, while others are endowed scholarships funded by the earnings of funds provided by the gifts of donors.

The first scholarship of the night, the Alumni Association Scholarship, was made possible by the gifts of EAC alumni through annual fundraising. The scholarship was presented to nine students who are children or grandchildren of EAC alumni who demonstrate exemplary character traits and academic ability. Recipients from Thatcher included Colton Cook, son of Chris and Julie Cook; Breton Hunt, son of Bret and Marissa Hunt and Dahlin Lutz, son of Gary and Ruth Lutz. Jacob Mayberry, of St. David, son of Carter and Faye Mayberry; Jade Brooks, of Queen Creek, daughter of Nate and Maya Brooks; Curtis Hancock, of Pima, son of Jace and Monica Hancock; Sierra Reitmeyer, of Globe, daughter of Margaret McCoy; Derek VanWinkle, of Show Low, son of Ken and Roni VanWinkle and Emily Clouse, of Virden, New Mexico, daughter of Kent and Shelly Clouse, were receivers as well.

James Hundley, of Eden, son of Sue Hundley, received the DRG Technologies Business Scholarship, given to a student pursuing a degree in business.

DeAndre Love, of Seattle, Wash., son of Shemetta Younger, and Taylor Hollestelle, of Morenci, daughter of James and Maxine Hollestelle, were both presented the Dr. Dorine Chancellor Athletic Scholarship. This scholarship assists one women’s softball student (Hollestelle) and one men’s basketball student (Love) each year.

Hope Kelleher, of Gilbert, daughter of Sean and Heather Kelleher, received the Dr. Ron Keith Memorial Scholarship. The family of Dr. Ron Keith, a faculty emeritus and past administrator at EAC, established this scholarship in order to help students who are members of the EAC Band program.

Nicole Ortiz, of Thatcher, daughter of Benjamin and Jacque Ortiz, was awarded the GFWC – Woman’s Club of Safford Scholarship. This scholarship is given to a Gila Valley high school graduate.

Amilynn Webb, of Safford, daughter of Darrin and Michelle Webb, was presented the Graham County Republican College Scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be a graduate of a Graham County high school and be a registered Republican upon his or her 18th birthday.

Emma Millett, of Mesa, daughter of Jason and Shelice Millett, received the Helen Papas Memorial Scholarship. George Papas awards this scholarship in memory of his wife, Helen, who loved music from great choirs. He intends this scholarship to help music bless the lives of others as it did Helen’s.

Savana Shumway, of Holbrook, daughter of David and Debbie Shumway, was awarded the Keith and Kathleen McBride Crockett Family Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship honors the service of Keith and Kathleen and their children. It is granted by the Crockett family to an EAC student who is the child or grandchild of an EAC alumnus.

Arianna Garza, of Safford, daughter of Rebecca Llamas, was presented the Kristie and Patrick Putnam Scholarship – awarded to single parents studying business, nursing, science or computer science.

Dustyn Brown, of Pima, son of Blain and Kanani Brown, received the Latter-day Saint Student Association Scholarship. Established by Mel and Adeline Palmer, this scholarship is awarded to a member of the LDSSA who is attending EAC.

Eva Duncan, of San Carlos, daughter of Chris and Mildred Duncan, was gifted the Mary Kim Titla Scholarship. This scholarship is for a Native American student who shows personal integrity, good moral character, citizenship, and is enrolled full-time at EAC.

JaNae Hancock, of Pima, daughter of Jace and Monica Hancock, and Logan Jones, of Duncan, son of Char and Stan Jones, both received the Max and Clara Curtis Bennett Memorial Scholarship. To improve the future of our communities and country, Max Bennett started this scholarship as a memorial to his wife, Mrs. Clara Curtis Bennett.

Brittany Miner, of Queen Creek, daughter of Brian and Bonnie Reed, was presented the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center Foundation Scholarship. Students from Graham or Greenlee counties who are enrolled in the EAC Nursing Program are eligible for this scholarship.

Serena Mains, of Safford, daughter of Margie and Gene Mains, received the Newman Sustaining Board Scholarship, which is given to a student who is an active participant in the Newman Club.

Jeremiah Guy, of La Junta, Colorado, son of Robert and Monique Guy, and Jessica Palmer, of Gilbert, daughter of David and Cyndi Palmer, were awarded the Ora DeConcini-Martin Scholarship. Mrs. DeConcini-Martin gives this scholarship to a returning full-time student (Palmer) and a new freshman (Guy) student pursuing a degree in business administration or business education in hopes that they will be inspired and motivated to gain higher education as she did.

Emilio Blinkey, of Lukachukai, son of Ramero Blinkey and Davina Benally, was presented the Pizza Edge Scholarship. EAC alumnus, Larry Justice and his wife, Diane, owners of Pizza Edge, established this scholarship to be awarded to a student with a high GPA who demonstrates good character, citizenship and integrity.

Gabriella Pena, of Thatcher, daughter of Morgan Overall, and Gregory Smith, of Safford, son of Brenda Scott Ratliff, each received the Safford Lions Club Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to incoming EAC freshmen who are graduates of a Graham County high school.

Chyana Lunt, of Pima, daughter of Craige and Cheryl Lunt, and Kathlean Orona, of Safford, were given the Safford Rotary Club Scholarship, which is directed at deserving Graham County high school graduates.

William Hundley, of Eden, son of Robert and Sue Hundley, received the VFW Auxiliary Post 10385 Scholarship. This scholarship is available to a new or returning EAC student who is a veteran or relative of a veteran of the United States Armed Services. William Hundley also received the Emil Crockett Scholarship. The Emil Crockett Insurance Agency presents a scholarship to an outstanding returning student from Graham County majoring in business.

Krysta Maltos, of Thatcher, daughter of Jimmy and Christy Maltos, was presented the Bernstein Brothers Memorial Scholarship. The family and friends of Tony and Billy Bernstein established this memorial scholarship to provide the opportunity of higher education to a deserving student pursuing an education in industrial technology or environmental biology.

Rachel Timmerman, of Anthem, daughter of Richard and Mary Robin Timmerman; Cameron Mortensen, of Aztec, New Mexico, and Madelyn Passmore, of Surprise, each were awarded the Donald J. Caldwell Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is given to students in the EAC Nursing Program to help them gain skills in demand by today’s employers.

Brandy Bovee, of Safford, daughter of Brenda Ingram, was awarded the Helen Johnson Bone Scholarship, which was established by William J. Bone and the late Helen Johnson Bone to benefit a homemaker seeking a degree from EAC.

Enid Montiel, of Safford, daughter of Mark and Julissa Rodriguez, received the John Mickelson Endowed Scholarship. In honor of John Mickelson, a state senator who was instrumental in establishing the Arizona State Community College System. This scholarship is given to an outstanding freshman returning to EAC for their sophomore year.

Rylee Brower, of Queen Creek, daughter of Ryan and Eileen Brower, was awarded the Kathryn Murphy-Spencer L. Kimball Scholarship. Students majoring in a university transfer curriculum with an excellent GPA and who have provided service to the College and the community may qualify for this scholarship.

Hannah Dannenbrink, of Safford, daughter of Deri Dannenbrink, received the Mark J. Green Spanish Scholarship. Max and Nathalene Green award this scholarship in memory of their son, Mark J. Green, who passed away while attending EAC, to a top student in Spanish language courses.

Isabella Calloway, of Globe, daughter of Robert and Connie Callaway, was awarded the Meghan Lynne Hammer Memorial Scholarship. Family and friends of Meghan Lynne Hammer, who dedicated herself to help others improve their lives through music, established this scholarship to be awarded to a Miami or Globe High School graduating senior who wants to further their education in the field of music at EAC.

Ashley Smith, of Safford, daughter of Jason and Teleysha Smith, was given the Phyllis Martin Lord Scholarship. Family and friends of Phyllis Martin Lord award this scholarship to a student demonstrating scholarship potential, integrity and service to family, church and community.

McKenna Badger, of San Tan Valley, daughter of Erik and Dana Badger, received the Sarah Lamoreaux Memorial Scholarship. The Edwin Lamoreaux family provides this scholarship in memory of their daughter Sarah. The recipient of this scholarship must demonstrate qualities of goodness, enthusiasm, dedication, and be a positive role model for EAC.

The Sumitomo-Freeport-McMoRan Scholarship, provided by the Sumitomo Metals Mining Corporation in honor of the 30th anniversary of their partnership with Phelps Dodge Corporation, was given to four students studying industrial technology. Recipients from Thatcher include Ethan Anway, son of Edward and Janice Anway, and Dallen Whetten, son of Dwight and Marla Ruth Whetten. Justin Judd, of Pima, son of Bart and Yvonne Judd, and Brandon Tapia, of Benson, son of Martin and Eva Tapia, were also awarded.

Lerin Ackerson, of Willcox, daughter of Les and Eerin Ackerson, was awarded the William J. Bone Scholarship, which is given to a deserving student who has been determined to possess personal integrity, good moral character and good citizenship.

Jonathan Ferrin, of Pima, son of Greg and Lucy Ferrin, was given the Dennis Braithwaite Memorial Music Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Dennis Braithwaite’s family and is awarded to students who also love music and wish to continue their study of music at the college level.

Abigail Estelle, of Elfrida, daughter of John Mark and Christy Estelle, received the EAC Foundation Nursing Scholarship. Several EAC alumni and friends have contributed to form this endowment that funds scholarships for the Nursing Program.

Spencer Peery was awarded the E. James Lee and Jacqueline McFadden Lee Scholarship. This scholarship, established by the EAC Foundation, honors E. James Lee and Jacqueline McFadden Lee for their years of service and financial support and is awarded to a full-time student at the EAC Thatcher Campus.

Boyd Chatwin received the Follett College Stores Scholarship, which is awarded to a returning student majoring in business with an emphasis in business administration or small business management.

Brittany Romero was given the G. Wayne and Phillis Blake Scholarship – awarded to a Miami, Globe, or San Carlos High School graduate.

Brent Hatch, of Thatcher, son of Matthew and Cindy Hatch, and Travis Rickman, also of Thatcher, son of Rick Rickman, both received the H. Greg Brockmeier Scholarship. In honor of Greg Brockmeier who has provided 32 years of service to the community and his employer, this award is presented to a new or returning student.

Jolea Ross, of Safford, daughter of Terry Joe and Connie Bingham, was presented the Safford Business and Professional Women’s Club Scholarship, given to women returning to college after an interruption caused by occupational or family responsibilities.

For more information about EAC’s scholarship opportunities or to set up a scholarship of your own contact EAC’s Alumni Center and Foundation at (928) 428-8295.

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