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Parents, students, faculty and staff filled the Multi Purpose Room at Superior Junior-Senior High School last week for the annual academic honors assembly. Two hundred fifty-eight thousand dollars in scholarships were awarded to the SHS Class of 2016 along with other academic awards for the rest of the student body.
Elias Olmos was recognized as the class valedictorian. He has recently confirmed his attendance at Arizona State University. ASU awarded him a $24,000 scholarship. He has received several other local scholarships including a scholarship from ASARCO. Ivie Lopez was recognized as the salutatorian for the class; she has received several local scholarships along with a scholarship from Grand Canyon University.
Several local groups and families presented their scholarships to deserving students. The Social Club de Damas presented scholarships to Ivie Lopez, Andrew Lopez and Keanna Torres. The Superior Rotary Club awarded $500 scholarships to Yanira Romero and Jose Lira Jr. The Superior Optimist Club awarded three scholarships in the amount of $500 in memory of one of their charter members, Richard Castaneda, to Phalicitee Thomas, Ivie Lopez and Jose Lira Jr. The family of David Montano offered three $500 memorial scholarships to Yanira Romero, Gabby Salcido-Lopez and Arianna San Miguel.
Lopez/Gomez Scholarship Winners
Steve Lopez and his daughter Stephanie awarded Gabriella Kipp, Ivie Lopez and Ciara Villaverde the Lopez/Gomez scholarship in memory of their family passed away in a car accident. Sue and Bill Anderson awarded a $500 scholarship to Phalicitee Thomas.
Woodmen of the World winners
Woodman of the World awarded Ariana San Miguel and Cierra Villaverde scholarships. Andrea Beltran was awarded the Manuel and Sandra Silvas Financial grant.
CAC Promise for the Future winners
Central Arizona Scholarship announced the recipients of the Promise for the Future scholarships which provides students who graduate with a 2.75 grade point average two years of tuition. Students and their parents must sign a contract in the eighth grade to qualify for the scholarship and they must maintain the grade point average throughout their high school career. Recipients of the Promise for the Future scholarship were: Charlie Price, Tyler Allison, Brittney Barreras, Ariana San Miguel, Gabby Salcido, Terrece Flowers, Gabby Kipp, Jose Lira Jr. Phalicitee Thomas, Ciara Villaverde, Elias Olmos, Miranda Perea, Yanira Romero, Keanna Torres and Kaya Rodriguez.
The Cesar Chavez Scholarships were awarded to Marcelina Jimenez, Gabriella Kipp, Ivie Lopez, Arianna San Miguel, Elias Olmos and Phalicitee Thomas.
Resolution Copper awarded three $6,000 renewable scholarships to Elias Olmos, Ivie Lopez and Ciara Villaverde. Jose Lira Jr. was awarded the Resolution Copper Steven L. Besich Leadership Grant (the grant is named for Jose’s grandfather).
Grand Canyon University awarded three scholarships to Gabby Kipp, Phalicitee Thomas and Ivie Lopez. Phalicitee Thomas was also awarded scholarships to Keuka College in New York along with a Gateway Community College athletic scholarship in Phoenix. Thomas has decided to attend Keuka college in New York.
School Counselor Angela Brammer explained that they expect the scholarship amounts to rise in the coming weeks as other groups finalize their award decisions.
Other notable awards included the US Army National Scholar Athlete Award to Elias Olmos and Ariana San Miguel. The Babe Ruth Sportsmanship award was received by Jose Lira Jr. and Phalicitee Thomas.
American Legion Award winners
The American Legion award was given to Allison Martinez and Dominic Perea.
The school-wide perfect attendance award was awarded to Brandon Martinez.
Congratulations to these students and all the seniors graduating this year.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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