Students Win Full Ride Scholarships To Heritage University

Imagine not having to pay for college. No bills. It's something that many dream about. But for 6 students in the Yakima Valley it's a reality. The 6 have been awarded full ride scholarships from Heritage University in Toppenish. Here's the latest from the school.

"Heritage University announced the six winners of the HU SOAR Scholarship. The winners are some of the brightest students in the Yakima Valley, and will receive a full-tuition scholarship for the achievement of an undergraduate degree at Heritage University.

The six scholarships were awarded to incoming students who will be starting at Heritage in the fall. They were selected based on the strength of their high school or transfer college grades, SAT or ACT scores, a personal mission statement, and a letter of recommendation. The recipients, their high school or college, and their intended majors are:

Brettagne Aleck, Yakama Nation Tribal School, Education

Ahtziry Salazar, AC Davis High School, Biological Sciences

Karina Rodriguez, AC Davis High School, Computer Science

Lesly Gomez, Eisenhower High School, Accounting

Susana Figueroa, Yakima Valley Community College, Early Childhood Studies

Delaney Helmersen, Columbia Basin College, Social Work

The six winners were chosen from a pool of 67 finalists that came from 172 applicants. Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Dr. Celestino Limas says he's thrilled to watch these students develop and hone their already keen intellects into the nimble, inquisitive, problem solvers that are the hallmarks of an education grounded in the liberal arts. “Talent deserves opportunity. The SOAR Scholarship will give these six students the education they need to compete successfully in the fields they choose,” said Limas.

SOAR Scholarship winner Delaney Helmersen said she was drawn to Heritage because of its vast internship opportunities. “I was considering another university to study social work, but Heritage is very much connected to the business world through its faculty and alumni contacts,” she says. “The SOAR Scholarship is a great opportunity for me.”