PHOENIX, May 14, 2025 ~ Phoenix, Arizona - The Desert Financial Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to investing in the future of Arizona by awarding 62 students with college scholarships totaling $198,000. The ceremony, held at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, celebrated the achievements of these students who have shown dedication to volunteerism, determination to continue their education, and a passion for building better futures.

The scholarship program includes three categories: Community Service Scholarships for high school seniors who have made significant contributions to their communities through volunteer work, Adult Learners Scholarships for adults over the age of 25 pursuing higher education, and Passion to Help Scholarships for dependents of Desert Financial team members who have also demonstrated a commitment to giving back through volunteerism. This year, nearly 200 students from across Arizona applied for these scholarships.

Since its inception in 2015, the Desert Financial Foundation has awarded over $1.7 million in scholarships to deserving students who are striving towards a brighter future through education. "We believe that education is a powerful tool for improving financial wellness," said Jeff Meshey, vice-chair of the Desert Financial Foundation. "These scholarships are just one way we invest in people who are working hard to better their lives, families and communities."

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Twenty-six high school seniors were awarded Community Service Scholarships totaling $84,000. These students had completed at least 50 hours of community service in 2024 while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrating financial need. They will be attending an Arizona college or university in Fall 2025. One standout student is Andrew Clough from Highland Prep in Surprise who volunteered over 350 hours at Billy's Place - an organization dedicated to grief support for children and families. Clough shared his experience saying, "My experience volunteering has made me a more empathetic, creative and attentive person...I enjoy working with younger kids the most as they are incredibly full of energy!" Together, the 2025 Community Service Scholarship recipients completed over 4,500 hours of volunteer service last year.

In addition, three students were awarded $5,000 scholarships for their outstanding achievements:

- Andrew Clough from Highland Prep in Surprise

- Ariana Andarcia Ramirez from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale

- Tristan St. Germain from Shadow Ridge High School in Surprise

The remaining 23 recipients received $3,000 scholarships each.

Thirty adult learners were also recognized and received a combined $96,000 in Adult Learners Scholarships to support their pursuit of higher education. These recipients are all over the age of 25 and are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited Arizona college, university or certification program for the 2025-2026 school year. Francisco Lagarda Duarte, who is studying mechanical engineering, shared his excitement about his educational journey saying, "As a husband to my beautiful wife, father of two and an aspiring engineer...I am excited to take the journey to gain the experience and knowledge to make transportation safe." Three adult learners were selected to receive $5,000 scholarships:

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- Francisco Lagarda Duarte of Peoria

- Soyeon Ko of Tempe

- Tinotenda Mavunga of Phoenix

The remaining 27 adult learners each received $3,000 scholarships.

In addition to these categories, Desert Financial Foundation also awarded six Passion to Help Scholarships totaling $18,000. These scholarships are offered to dependents of Desert Financial Credit Union employees who have volunteered 50 or more hours in 2024 and are either graduating high school or currently enrolled in college at an accredited Arizona institution.

The scholarship recipients were celebrated at the 2025 Desert Financial Foundation Scholarship Ceremony held at Chateau Luxe on May 7th. In addition to their scholarship awards, students also received a gift basket filled with items to support their educational journey, including Sony headphones, a Hydro Flask water bottle, an Uber gift card, snacks and school supplies.

To learn more about Desert Financial Foundation's scholarship programs and how to apply, visit DesertFinancial.com/Scholarships. The foundation remains committed to investing in the future of Arizona and supporting students in their pursuit of higher education.

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