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Compiled by Jennifer R. Carnes
San Manuel High School is rapidly gaining the reputation of helping students with post-high school academic funding and this year is no exception.
Sunday night at the annual Baccalaureate Service, seniors from the local high school were awarded with nearly $1.5 million in scholarships, grant funding and military contracts. Thirty-four of the 80 members of the San Manuel High School Class of 2013 were awarded with some form of funding – 42.5 percent.
In addition to the scholarships awarded for the state’s three university, Central Arizona College surprised all by awarding nine academic scholarships and 29 Promise for the Future scholarships for a total of $150,336.
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach awarded seven scholarships for a total of $42,000.
This year’s three valedictorians, Maxwell Duffy, Wyatt Fessenden and Wayne Newman, garnered a fair share of the scholarships presented, but other students also garnered accolades as well.
Maxwell Duffy received the Vin and Helen Coxon Memorial Scholarship which is worth $5,000; Arizona State University Scholarship for $38,000; Northern Arizona University Scholarship for $33,812; University of Arizona Scholarship for $36,000 plus an iPad; University of Portland Scholarship for $80,000; the Polytechnic Institute of New York University Scholarship for $90,000; Drexel University Scholarship for $80,000; SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each); and the Vantage West Credit Union Scholarship ($1,500). Max’s awards totaled $380,680.
Wyatt Fessenden received an ASU Scholarship ($38,000); an NAU Scholarship ($33,812); University of Arizona Scholarship ($32,000) plus an iPad; SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); SaddleBrooke Rotary Scholarship ($4,000); Dorrance Scholarship ($64,000); Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each); San Manuel Elks Scholarship $500; Arizona Elks Association Scholarship ($1,500); Paul Casillas Memorial Scholarship ($500); and Todd Myers Scholarship ($1,000). Wyatt’s awards totaled $191,680.
Wayne Newman, the third of the valedictorians, received the University of Arizona Scholarship ($24,000) plus an iPad; Lipscomb University Scholarship ($116,000); Grand Canyon University Scholarship ($64,000); SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each); and the Arizona Elks Association Scholarship ($1,500). Wayne’s awards totaled $221,868.
Alexis Garibay was awarded the Fred and Sally Littau Scholarship ($1,000); an ASU Scholarship ($24,000); SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); Phillip Clark Memorial Scholarship ($500); and the Todd Myers Memorial Scholarship ($1,000). Her scholarships totaled $37,684.
Rosa Reyes was awarded an ASU Scholarship ($76,000); Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each); and the Todd Myers Memorial Scholarship ($1,000). Her awards totaled $87,368.
Angel Esquivel was awarded scholarships from all three universities – ASU ($32,000), NAU ($24,000) and University of Arizona ($28,000) plus an iPad. He also received a SaddleBrooke Rotary Scholarship ($4,000); the Knights of Columbus Scholarship ($750); and Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each). His scholarships totaled $99,118..
Daniel Madrid earned an ASU Scholarship ($32,000) and a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184).
Leticia Reidhead was awarded scholarships from ASU ($24,000) and University of Arizona ($8,000 plus an iPad); SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); and Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each).
Kiana Estrada was awarded an ASU Scholarship ($4,000); and Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each).
Arianna Assini was awarded the Cochise College Scholarship ($15,000).
Andrew Monfred was awarded the BHP Pinto Valley Scholarship ($44,000); and the Journey to Success Scholarship ($500).
Aubrianne Estrada was awarded a SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($6,000); Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each); San Manuel Elks Scholarship ($500); and the Mammoth-San Manuel Education Support Professional Association Scholarship ($500). She was also honored by her classmates as the winner of the Outstanding Senior.
Sarah Robles was awarded the Central Arizona College Academic and Promise for the Future Scholarships ($5,184 each).
Brian Jacobo was awarded a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); and the Central Arizona College Counselor’s Scholarship ($200).
Selena Duarte was awarded a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); and a Knights of Columbus Scholarship ($750).
Karly Peña was awarded a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); and the Chris Garcia Scholarship ($500).
Ashley Kincade was awarded a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); and the Mammoth-San Manuel Education Support Professional Association Scholarship ($500).
Martha Estrada was awarded a Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarship ($5,184); and the Arizona Private School Association Scholarship ($1,000).
Receiving San Pedro Valley Lions Club Scholarships for $1,000 each were Samantha Gonzales and Kari Marie Scott.
Seniors receiving Central Arizona College Promise for the Future Scholarships for $5,184 each were: Jamie Begay, Claudia Campos Gastelum, Martin Esquivel, Mildrith Estrada, Maritza Estrada, Robert Flores, Damaris Galarza, Sergio Hernandez, Chantelle Krouse, Lawrence Polanco, Asha Quintero, Anres Sierra and Bailee Smith Garcia.
Isaac Ryan was the final senior to be recognized at the honors ceremony. He has signed a contract with the United States Army. His contract is worth $120,000.
Margaret Schofield was named Teacher of the Year by the Class of 2013.
Commencement exercises will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at the Fred Littau Field in San Manuel.
Photos by John Hernandez. See more online at
Students in the Class of 2013 honored Ms. Linda Brooks at the Baccalaureate service. This is Ms. Brooks’ last year at San Manuel High School and her last graduation.
Max Duffy, Wayne Newman and Wyatt Fessenden, San Manuel High School’s Valedictorians, are ready for their future. Duffy said he plans to pursue an education in engineering. Newman wants to study nursing. Fessenden plans to become an interior designer. (Jennifer Carnes photo)
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