
I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of the University South Foundation and the Sierra Vista Women's Club Scholarship and the SSVEC Scholarship. Thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to continue pursuing my Cyber Operations Engineering degree at the University of Arizona South.
Going back to school after so many years has been challenging yet rewarding. These scholarships will propel me through my last two semesters. I will graduate in May of 2020, at which time I will pursue a cyber security career on Fort Huachuca. I love the Sierra Vista area and plan to stay here, build a career, raise my children and continue to volunteer in the community.
The University South Foundation, Sierra Vista Women's Club and SSVEC Scholarship will help pay for my tuition, allowing me to focus on my academic pursuits. Witnessing the scholarship winners last night at the Scholarship Reception was uplifting and confirmed my path forward. I will never forget the announcement of the surprise SSVEC Scholarship! At the reception last night, my children and I witnessed the power of “paying it forward.” I can’t wait to do the same. Thank you for your continued support and investment in my future. ~Sincerely, Heather Bird



Words cannot express how thankful I am to have been selected to receive this scholarship. There was a time in my life where I did not think I would amount to much. I was a senior in high school expecting a child and I was told by many that I would end up a high school drop out with no prospects of a college education. Because of these negative perceptions, I once thought an education from the University of Arizona was superior or above me. My life has been defined by constantly battling to overcome being viewed as just another statistic. I tried so hard to prove this to others, only to come to realization that the only person I needed to prove this to is myself. My education is allowing me to be a better role model not only to my own children but to the young girl or boy that feel hopeless and alone the way I once did. I can show them that if I achieved my educational goals with all the adversities I have been through, they can achieve anything their hearts desire. With hard work, perseverance, and a strong will I am on my way to achieving all my educational and career goals. To the University South Foundation and the community members that made this scholarship possible, I am beyond grateful for helping me in continuing my pursuit and allowing me to experience a sense of community support and motivation that I once found almost impossible to receive.— Ivonne Valenzuela

I am honored to be a recipient of the University South Foundation Fall Scholarship. Without scholarship patrons willing to support higher education, students such as myself would be unable to pursue such degrees and achieve their dreams of becoming a college graduate.
As a non-traditional college student, I have faced many financial and academic challenges; however, this journey has also helped me realize the value of a college education and has given me the confidence necessary to succeed. I will carry these experiences with me as I begin my career in the very near future hoping to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and under-represented social groups. I am committed to my education and hope to make a difference in the lives of others within my community.
I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Development minoring in Human Services this December. My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like your organization. Thank you for enabling this opportunity! - Jennifer Madison

Memorial Scholarships
Education is the gift that lasts a lifetime, and a memorial scholarship program provides a meaningful way for a family, friend or company to honor that special person while carrying his or her legacy forward to future generations of students and supports a future work force in your community.
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Contact grindew@arizona.edu or call 520-458-8278 ext. 2129 for more information.
Thank you for granting me the University South Foundation Scholarship, and the Besselman Memorial Scholarship; this is a great blessing to me. I am humbled by these honorable scholarships and, quite frankly, in a state of disbelief that I would be so lucky to receive such assistance. After applying to so many online scholarships all summer long, and not receiving a single one, I thought that applying for the University South Foundation and the Besselman Memorial Scholarship would result in the same fate as all of the other scholarships I had applied for; however I am downright elated to have been proven wrong. These scholarships bring me relief from the substantial financial stress of attending a university, which in itself is a stressful endeavor. Upon hearing the news that I had been awarded the University South Foundation Scholarship and Besselman Memorial Scholarship I felt as though a great, and dreaded, weight had been lifted from my shoulders, freeing my attention to be able to fully focus on my challenging scholarly pursuit ahead. I am deeply grateful for this privilege and will excitedly show my gratitude through the good use of my time and mental exertions. ~With great thankfulness, Sarah Fenter
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