LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Eight students in Louisville are getting a little extra help to attend college next year from a Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) scholarship program.
Eight JCPS seniors who have overcome obstacles to get to graduation day are receiving a total of $68,700 from the JCPS Employee Sponsored Student Scholarship Fund.
JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio surprised the students at their schools Friday with the news that they would be given a scholarship to their school of choice.
“Delivering the news of scholarship help to these deserving students makes this one of my favorite days of the year,” Pollio said. “These students, whose families might not be able to afford college without significant financial help, are going to make a difference in the world. They are terrific ambassadors for their families, schools, JCPS and the city of Louisville. We couldn’t be prouder of them.”
As part of the selection process, finalists for the scholarships wrote personal statements, prepared presentations outlining their plans and financial needs, and took part in interviews with Pollio and other JCPS administrators.
JCPS Employee Sponsored Student Scholarship Fund recipients:
Isaiah Duran, Louisville Male - $10,200 - A valedictorian at Male, Isaiah balances his academic coursework with his job at UPS as a participant in the School to Work program. He has served on two mission trips to Guatemala and builds housing in his community through Habitat for Humanity. Isaiah plans to become a civil engineer and will attend the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering.
A’nya Ellison, duPont Manual - $10,200 - A’nya is a varsity cheerleader at Manual. She has never received a grade other than an A since middle school. A’nya earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, is a member of the National Honor Society, President of the Kentucky Leaders of Tomorrow Program, and has won employee of the month at Chick-Fil-A three times. She will attend the University of Kentucky with a major in Health Science on the Pre-Pharmacy track.
Erika Infante, Doss - $10,200 - Two years ago, Erika convinced her parents to leave the oppression of Cuba and come to America. Erika and her family endured a 13 day journey that involved all methods of transportation including boats, planes, motorcycles, and horses. Erika has flourished at Doss as a member of the Hospitality & Marketing Academy. She recently won both local and state competitions in marketing and represented Doss at the national DECA convention in California. Erika will attend the University of Louisville next year.
Audrey Duran Martinez, Fairdale - $5000 - While completing internships at Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health, Audrey noticed that none of the doctors she worked with were Hispanic. This inspired her to pursue a career in medicine in order to help underserved communities. She will attend Notre Dame University this Fall, where she plans to study biochemistry and French.
Vanessa Martinez Garduno, Atherton - $2500 - Vanessa completed the Media Arts pathway at Atherton and attended the Governor’s School for the Arts for both film and photography. She will attend Loyola University in Chicago next year and plans to advocate for undocumented people and other minorities who may believe that higher education is not possible.
Saana Mugabo, Central - $10,200 - Saana participates in the pre-med magnet program at Central where she also serves as a School Ambassador. She is Treasurer of the African Student Association and has taken eleven Advanced Placement and dual credit courses. Saana maintains her status on the Honor Roll while having a part-time job. She will attend the University of Kentucky this Fall.
Shalom Ndimubwihisho, Southern - $10,200 - Shalom is a Rwandan refugee who came to Louisville in 2018. After an initial struggle adjusting to the cultural differences and learning a new language, Shalom became an honor student. He is President of Southern’s Black Student Union as well as a member of the wrestling, track, and soccer teams. Shalom will attend the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering in the fall.
Sabina Rai, Fern Creek - $10,200 - Sabina lost her father at seven years old and her mother in 2021. She chose to graduate a year early in order to help her family. Sabina will attend Bellarmine University where she plans to major in Nursing. Sabina was inspired to be a nurse after seeing how hard the nurses worked to help her mother when she became ill.
Since the scholarship fund began in 2020, 28 JCPS seniors have received checks to help them with college expenses.
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