Three Phoenix High seniors from the class of 2023 have been selected as winners of the prestigious Ford Family Foundation Scholarship, giving the school eight Ford Scholars in three years.
Islady Alvarez, Leydi Ramirez and MaKenna Rowenhorst were notified by email recently that they had won the scholarship and were honored in front of their fellow students and staff during Phoenix High’s Decision Day festivities Monday afternoon.
“We are beyond proud of these three,” PHS principal Kalin Cross said. “They are hard workers, outstanding students, and just all-around phenomenal people. This honor is well deserved.” The Ford Family Foundation has several college scholarship programs that are awarded each year and, according to the foundation, its scholars often share that the award is about “so much more than the money.” Receiving a Ford Family Foundation scholarship means that scholars are welcomed into a community that will support them throughout their academic journey and beyond.
“It means everything,” Rowenhorst said.
The Ford Scholars Program is a highly selective scholarship that awards students from Oregon and Siskiyou County, California who are planning to complete a four-year degree at a college in their home state. The scholarship amount varies by student, providing 90% of unmet need, up to $40,000 a year.
Over 1,100 students applied for the scholarship in Oregon and of those, only 200 were called back for interviews and 130 selected as winners.
According to the foundation, the students selected have shown exceptional potential and motivation to succeed in college. They have also demonstrated care for their community, a strong work ethic, leadership potential and an overall outstanding character.
Source: Phoenix Talent School District
