Participants
2023 Cohort
Jayde Cienfuegos
Hi! My name is Jayde Cienfuegos. I graduated from Sunnyside High School and continued my education at Yakima Valley College where I graduated with my AA-DTA. I intended to transfer to a university to become a Registered Nurse, but I always felt like nursing just wasn’t for me. I started exploring and becoming more interested in technology courses. I transferred to Eastern Oregon University online to pursue my Bachelors in Computer Science and l loved the programming classes, but I really wanted to go to a school I could be more involved with, so I transferred to Heritage University to complete my education in Computer Science.
During my time at EOU I had the opportunity to make a website and meet those who help keep the Grande Ronde Watershed in Eastern Oregon going. I loved the way they continuously gave back to the community with their environmental impact. It inspired me to learn more about my surrounding environment and different ways technology can help. The EAGLES scholarship provides me with an amazing opportunity to learn more about how to help the environment in my community while furthering my education.
Mikayla Harris
Hi, my name is Mikayla Harris. I graduated from West Valley High School in 2021. Afterwards, I started at YVC and got my AA. While I've always had an interest in animals and science, I wasn't entirely sure what career I wanted to really set my focus on. In High School I thought I wanted to be a Veterinarian. Up until recently I was planning on becoming a teacher, but I realized that wasn't quite for me. My time at my community college allowed me to explore and expand my interests, and I realized what I really loved was natural sciences! I thrived in classes like Geography, Astronomy, etc. This past year I've been in between colleges (and working at my local elementary school on the support staff.) It's been a lot of fun, but I'm excited to get back to learning. I look forward to the research I'll be doing as an E.A.G.L.E.S. scholar, and the chance to further explore my environmental interests.
Jennifer Solis Rios
Hi! My name is Jennifer Solis Rios. I graduated from Grandview High School and did Running Start and graduated with my AA-DTA at the same time this last year. For the longest time I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I honestly still don’t. I decided to try to pursue a Bachelor’s in Biology and I hope to pursue something within the medical field. I’m not fully sure if this is what I want to do but it’s what I am currently going with. I hope to do Endocrinology as it intrigues me the most out of all the other medical fields I have seen. Some hobbies I have include several arts. I enjoy playing instruments and have played violin for about 6 years now. I also enjoy drawing but haven’t done much of it recently. I do hope to get back into it at some point though. I also enjoy playing games, especially RPG games. Overall I enjoy helping out and the EAGLES scholarship seems to be the perfect way to both help out the environment and further my education.
Nick Tegen
My name is Nicholas Tegen. I am an avid outdoorsman born and raised in the Yakima valley. I am passionate about conservation, and I enjoy hunting and fishing. I have been a taxidermist for more than 20 years.
At 38 years old I finally decided to chase my dream of working with animals for a career, and I enrolled in college. Animals are what I am passionate about and I want to protect their habitat and keep their populations strong and healthy for future generations. This truly is my “why” - what keeps me moving forward to reach every milestone along the way to this goal- my passion for animals and the environment, and my desire to do work that is personally fulfilling for me and aligned with my values.
One area of concern for me has always been salmon and steelhead. When I was a kid, populations of salmon and steelhead were much healthier than they are today. It was not uncommon to catch 12- and 15-pound steelhead and limit out often. Catching a hatchery clip steelhead in a river I grew up fishing we now call “steelhead unicorn fish”, meaning there are so few. Chinook salmon runs have taken the biggest hit. Learning the ins and outs of how, what, and why our fish populations are struggling, and how to support their habitat is something I am very interested in pursuing as an Eagle Scholar at Heritage University.
Bethany Navarro
Hello, I'm Bethany Navarro, and I'm excited to share a bit about my educational journey and passion for Computer Science. After graduating from Toppenish High School, I continued my education at Yakima Valley College. I then transferred to Heritage University to pursue my bachelor's degree in computer science.
My decision to enter the field of Computer Science was driven by my interests for the creative aspects of web design and game development. There's something truly magical about watching your ideas come to life in the form of a website or a game, and this creative spark is what fuels my enthusiasm for computer science.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a diverse set of interests. Baking allows me to channel my creativity into delicious treats, while working out helps me maintain a healthy balance in my life. I often spend my free time hiking and exploring nature.
I am appreciative of the opportunity generously extended to me by the EAGLES scholarship team that allows me to pursue and attain my dreams and aspirations.
Marcos Montiel
Hello, everyone! My name is Marcos Montiel, I am from Grandview, WA, and I graduated from Grandview High School in 2023. The way I like to manage my stress is by hanging out with my family, playing video games, and going on long walks. One thing that motivates me the most to continue my studies is to help my community (Yakima County) in the healthcare field. I want to be able to help families that can’t access proper healthcare, no matter the circumstances, and give them a glimpse of hope.
Currently, I am a freshman at Heritage University on track to get my degree in Biomedical Science. Hopefully, after completing my degree, I can get into a medical school in the state of Washington and receive my credentials to be an Anesthesiologist. I am very appreciative of the opportunity that the people in the EAGLES program are giving me to go above and beyond regarding research and internship opportunities that will help me in my future career.
One environmental issue that interests me is soil degradation because so many nutrients are being lost, and this is one of the many causes of soil fertility decline.
Apol Medrano
Hello! My name is Apol Medrano. I graduated from Zillah High School in 2021 and initially attended the University of Utah pursuing an Art Teaching degree. I transferred to Heritage University after a semester in Utah while still going in with the idea of achieving an Art Teaching degree. Growing up I have always found joy in creating art projects, whether it would be animation, comics, etc. However, software development has always interested me, and it was the gateway for me to find my passion in programming. So, this past semester I committed to pursuing a Computer Science degree. The change to becoming a STEM major has been amazing. I have been able to make new friends and learn new concepts and ideas that keep me eager to learn and it has given me a sense of accomplishment I have never felt before. Most importantly, this has given me a new way that can facilitate a positive change in the environment.
I spent most of my childhood running around outside and exploring. Some of my fondest memories occurred while being in the wilderness whether it was camping with family, hiking with friends, or spending time fishing with my grandpa. Wildlife conservation is important to me, and I hope to use my computer science degree to help give back and help forestry and wildlife conservation. I fully intend on creating interactive programs where users will learn about environmental issues that plague our day and age like deforestation, global warming, pollution, and many more. I want to bring awareness to these issues and show the severity and seriousness of these problems. My goal is this will help people change their environmentally damaging habits and inspire people to put themselves in positions where they can make a difference.
I am very grateful to be given the chance to be an EAGLES scholar. I will continue to be a dedicated and diligent student to ensure I capitalize on this exceedingly kind opportunity.
2022 Cohort
Evelyn Barajas
Hi! My name is Evelyn Barajas. I was born and raised in Colima, Mexico, I moved to Yakima in 2014. I graduated from West Valley High School in 2020. After high school, I continued my education at Yakima Valley Community College and graduated in June 2022 with an Associate in Computer Science. I then transferred to Heritage University to continue my bachelor's degree in Computer Science. When I graduated from high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. Initially, I enrolled in Psychology, however, I felt like it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I switched to CS. I’ve always been interested in technology and computers, so I was drawn to computer science, and so far it’s been good. It is a challenging major, but very worth it, as it allows me to go in many different directions. Some hobbies I have are hiking and drawing. I also enjoy the process of building web pages, as it is a blend of technology and art. I like that the EAGLES program connects STEM and the environment. From a very young age, I’ve been taught the value of the environment, how important it is to keep it clean and to be responsible for what we consume. I'm hoping that through the EAGLES program I can gain more experience, help protect our environment, and have a more precise idea of what I want to do with my degree after graduating.
Alexis Goeken
Hi, my name is Alexis Goeken and I graduated from Selah High School in 2020. I am a biology major with an interest in all things nature, especially zoology and ecology. I have always known that I’ve wanted to work with animals, whether that is in the field studying wildlife or in a caretaking job as a zoologist or veterinarian. In summer of 2022 I did a research project with YVC looking at pollinator populations in the Yakima area, which reminded me of how much I like exploring the natural world. Some things I do for fun are visiting friends, going for a drive, and playing video games.
Emily Hinze
My name is Emily Hinze, I am a biology major in my third year of college as of 2022. This is my first year at Heritage University, and I am glad to say it is where I plan to stay. The opportunities given to me and my peers, such as through the EAGLES scholarship, have been astounding. It is always a pleasure to come to campus and work alongside other students and staff. When I heard about the EAGLES scholarship and what its focus is on, I immediately clicked with it. Biology is my passion and I have special interests in entomology, ecology, and environmental science. One day, when I get my degree, I want to work to make the world a better place in some way or another, whether the change is on a small ecosystem scale or the environment as a whole.
My hobbies are mostly related to art, as I love to draw, animate, and write. I also like to collect insects that I hope to one day pin and make into my own mounted collection.
Natali Hernandez
Hello, my name is Natali Hernandez. I graduated from Sunnyside High School class of 2021. I am a freshman at Heritage University; I am majoring in Biology. My goal while attending Heritage University is to learn and gather as much knowledge about Biology as I can. I attended the University of Utah for a little bit and studied Biology when I was there, it was a great learning experience. When I graduated from Heritage University, I will further my education however I am still not sure where exactly! I just know that is my next step in life. During my High School career, I took a few Robotics and Biomedical classes that inspired me to pursue a Biology Degree. At a young age, I always knew I wanted to go to school for biology. As the oldest sibling, I feel like it’s my job to set a good example for my brother, along with that of course making others proud. There is so much to learn, and so many careers that open from studying Biology, and that plays a part in why I chose this major.
I am excited about all the research I will do as an E.A.G.L.E.S Scholar. I am happy to be a part of a team with E.A.G.L.E.S Scholars. I am thrilled and grateful for any new opportunities that may come my way.
Vivianna Phillips
Hi everyone! My name is Vivianna Phillips, I am currently a 3rd year student at Heritage University studying biology with a strong aspiration to become a physician for low-income, underrepresented and immigrant communities. The EAGLES program is helping me achieve my goals and supporting my passion of being a lifelong learner. My academic goals as a first-generation college student include obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology, mastering skills such as resiliency, positivity and time management, and establishing connections with people as well as programs that fit well with my values. My personal objectives are to engage in professional leadership opportunities with the intention and impact of helping the Yakima Valley. My personal growth goals are taking care of my physical, mental and emotional health, learning to overcome obstacles no matter how challenging they present themselves, and being open-minded to new experiences. My environmental interests stem from the air and water pollution concern in which I have been diligently working with my peers to create awareness of this issue. I strongly believe that if we can educate the public, we can positively influence our environment and learn new ways to take care of the planet and more specifically, the Yakima Valley.
Kayonnie Ganuelas Badonie
Enrolled with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, member of the Navajo Nation and Ilocano, Filipina. Majoring with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science at Heritage University. Prior experience in Environmental Studies within the Yakama Nation include working as a Forestry Technician with Forestry Pre-Sales, Wildland Firefighter, with Fire Management, Fuels Technician with Fuels Management, Laborer/Field Tech at Hanford Nuclear Site and Water Technician with Water Maintenance. I believe preserving and protecting mother nature is a great quality of life and with great passion have continued to stay involved with environmental studies and relate it into Computer Science for the future working with various programs on and off the Yakama Nation as the world continues to increase in Technology. My motivation has been my two little boys who are watching me daily and hope that one day they too will succeed and make their mark on this Earth for a better future.
2021 Cohort
Soledad Figueroa
My name is Soledad but I prefer Sole. I was born and raised in Sunnyside, Washington and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2016. I am the youngest of five children and I have a one year old son. On my free time I usually take my son on adventures. We love the outdoors so you will most likely find us hiking or out somewhere exploring. I am also a huge book worm and a coffee enthusiast.
It is my Sophomore year at Heritage University and I am majoring in Biology. Thanks to the Eagles scholarship I am able to pay for college and eventually pursue my dream of going to Medical School.
An environmental issue I am passionate about is the harmful chemicals used for agriculture that cause many side effects, not only to our environment, but to our very own people that have no choice but to go into that environment for work every day. Regular people like my parents. These chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, and anhydrous ammonia that pollute our water and air we breathe. I would like to raise more awareness and educate our farm workers about the dangers of these chemicals to our environment and their very own health, eventually pursuing research on how we can find alternative methods for these pesticides for the sake of our environment.
Mariana Garcia
Hi, my name is Mariana Garcia, but I go by Mari. I was born in Prosser and raised in Sunnyside Washington. I graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2020 and now I’m a sophomore at Heritage University. I’m currently majoring in biology and once I complete my degree, I want to apply to a Physician’s Assistant program to pursue a career as a PA. As an EAGLE Scholar I’m interested in exploring how climate change puts people at risk through changes in the weather and air quality. I am looking forward to working alongside other EAGLES scholars and learning more about how my degree in Biology can help address these important challenges.
Fabiola Guerrero
Hi, my name is Fabiola Guerrero. I was born and raised in Toppenish WA. I graduated from Toppenish High School in June 2020. I am currently a Junior at Heritage University majoring in Biology. During my free time I like going on late nigh drives, going on hikes, and just being outdoors. As my time as an eagle scholar, I have done 2 summer internships, one in a lab, and one outdoors in the field (Summer 2022). I would like to explore more field work internships since I really enjoyed my time this last summer working in the fields. Some of my topics of interest are water quality, and air quality/ pollution. My goals are to have as many connections as possible during my time at Heritage. I also want to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine. I am thankful for the Eagles Scholarship as it has opened many doors for me, helped me pay for my studies, and given me many opportunities to learn.
Alonso Hernandez Guzman
My name is Alonso Hernandez Guzman, I am from Yakima WA, I graduated from Eisenhower Highschool in 2020. I am the oldest child; I have a little sister who is 13. I am pursuing my degree in Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Science at heritage University, I hope that after I complete my degree I can get into medical school and pursue a career as an MD. I enjoy reading and when I am not studying, I spent my time playing videogames or playing tennis/soccer. One environmental issue that intersects with my study interest is the levels of toxics that exist in the environment and affects the lives in the Yakima Valley, but everything that is related to the environment and the care of our planet interests me. I am grateful for the opportunity that the people at EAGLES scholarship have given me to achieve my dreams and goals.
Tabitha Hickey
My name is Tabitha Hickey. I am currently a senior, I plan on graduating with my bachelor's in biology. I enjoy being outdoors and being active with my fiancée and 3-year-old son. I am an enrolled Yakama Nation member and I currently work with the Yakama Nation Wildlife program as a part-time employee as a Wildlife Technician IV for the Spotted Owl crew. I have been working with the Spotted Owls crew for the last two summers trying to find the endangered Spotted Owl on the reservation. I have an interest in playing sports, animals, reading, traveling and many more things.
Angelica Jimenez Romero
Hello! My name is Angelica Jimenez Romero; I am a transfer student from Edgewood College in Madison, WI. I’m a junior here at Heritage University, majoring in Biology B.S with a minor in Chemistry and a Pre-Med path: I will love to become a Neuro/Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the future. I am from Mexico, where I learned mostly how to take care of nature and our environment through little efforts like planting trees, using less water, recycling, and reutilizing. I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to further explore the intersections between the environment and the health of living organisms as an EAGLE Scholar.
Marco A. Zaragoza M.
My name is Marco A. Zaragoza M. and I graduated from Wapato High School in 2020 to pursue a degree in Engineering. I’m a Freshman at Heritage University in the Pre-Engineering Program. I hope to become an Architectural Engineer through a Civil Engineering degree. Designing buildings that make sense in the physical world is my interest.
Born and raised in Washington, I grew up with an interest in construction. I loved designing homes in a 3D modeling program known as Roblox Studio, spending hours replicating apartments and streets. It was fulfilling to sculpt an idea of a home from scratch into a habitable structure. My dream of working with homes became a reality when I had the chance to remodel one in middle school, where I learned the basics of the drywall craft with my cousins.
During high school, I participated in the Electrical program at YV-Tech, where I was introduced to the basic wiring of a home while working with students sharing similar interests. I also became familiar with the concept of solar panels for clean energy. Envisioning the increase in solar panels involved in home energy production, I hope to some day design homes that are not only structurally presentable, but energy efficient.
Eric Mendoza
My name is Eric Mendoza and I'm from Grandview. I am studying Pre-Engineering with an interest in Mechanical Engineering. My goals while I'm at Heritage University are to find out more about the career I'm pursuing to see if this is something that I can truly see myself doing for the rest of my life. As an EAGLE Scholar, I’m interested in how advances in Mechanical Engineering can contribute to the reduction of air pollution.
Agnes 'AcH'enaqwegwe' Mae Beresford Meninick
My name is Agnes 'AcH'enaqwegwe' (hummingbird) Mae Beresford Meninick, I am an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation from the Wishxum Band, as well as a decedent of Lipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. I grew up on the Yakama Nation reservation attending both Wapato and Toppenish school districts while participating in sports; basketball, swimming, and weekends on the powwow trail competing in Fast and Fancy Shawl. I graduated in 2006 from Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, Ca. After a life quest, I have found myself with multiple field interests in, geology; for the love of rock-hounding, geography, topography, history; for wanting to know where I come from, as well as my fascination with anthropology, and last, Archaeology because of one stranger on a flight home from California that I will never forget. So, with that my future goals revolves learning as much as possible in all fields to become the female version I see as Josh Gates, or any explorer from the history channels. By starting out as a Freshman here at Heritage University, declaring my major in Environmental Science, applying for many internships that benefit in experience and the adventure of seeing the world, while reaching for graduate school.
2020 Cohort
Elizabeth Juarez
I was born and raised in Sunnyside, Washington and graduated from Sunnyside High School (Go Grizzlies!). I’m a transfer student and an upcoming junior at Heritage University. I will be pursuing a B.S. Biology degree with a Biomedical track and then looking to apply to the Physician Assistant Program offered at Heritage University. Some of my favorite pastimes include exercising, listening to crime podcasts, and exploring the outdoors. Protecting our environment is very important to me as I enjoy visiting lakes, beaches, and hiking trails. I never fail to see piles of trash in these highly populated areas and realize something needs to be done to stop this pollution. I am excited to work alongside other EAGLES STEM scholars to better help protect our environment.
Mayra Diaz Acevedo
My name is Mayra Diaz Acevedo. I am now a Sophomore at Heritage University, majoring in Mathematics. I am a 2020 graduate from A.C. Davis High school. My plans for this degree are still unknown but because of the Summer 2021 Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Occidental College (REU OXY) I was able to learn about many different opportunities in Mathematics and was motivated to explore where this degree might take me. Outside of classes I really like to run and enjoy reading. These activities help me relax and destress. I am also a first-generation student and have 3 younger siblings. I am excited for this new experience of attending college in person and hope the best for everyone else this year!
I am very thankful for the Eagles scholarship as it has opened many doors for me that I did not know I had. THANK YOU!
Angeles Marin
I am majoring in biomedical science. I was born in Yakima and have lived in Toppenish my whole life. I am the oldest child in my family with one younger brother who is 10. I chose medicine since it has made an impact in my childhood. I did a really hard sport that caused me many knee, ankle, wrist, and back injuries. As those injuries led me many trips to the orthopedic doctor, I learned a lot and grew a passion for learning about the treatment, prevention, and recovery of injuries caused by sports.
Gustavo Mendez Soto
I graduated from Selah High School and am pursuing my degree in Computer Science. I have three siblings, all of which are attending Heritage University. My goal is to learn to pursue an amazing career path where I can use Computer Science to impact the environment. I hope I can achieve this goal and get my degree not only to better myself, but hopefully help the community as well. I look forward to using advance computing skills to help solve issues in the environment through technical programming or even as I've learned through internships, using deep machine learning.
Anna Diaz
My name is Anna Diaz and I’m currently a sophomore. I graduated from West Valley Virtual Academy in 2020. I had a major change from Computer Science to Math. Although I did not initially enjoy my math courses, I did enjoy the meaning behind what applied math can do for our environment. With my summer internship at Brown University through the Leadership Alliance, I became passionate about my research project involving ocean acidification and how math could be used to enhance our understanding of the problem. By using the multi-fidelity Gaussian process regression, I was able to make use of both high and low fidelity data sources to better predict ocean temperatures and understand how rising temperatures might contribute to ocean acidification. This highlights the linkages between climate change and the health of our oceans.
Michael Gonzalez
Hello my name is Michael Gonzalez and I was born and raised in California. I'm a husband and father of six wonderful children. My motivation for pursuing my degree is my family as they depend on me. Knowing that my kids are watching me do this will also drive them to pursue a higher education. I am going for a bachelor's degree in computer science. I want to learn how to protect people from malicious attacks when they are surfing the web. Honestly I want to learn everything I can about computers. What I enjoy most is gaming I like to get immersed in a good story driven rpg or even get into a game with friends. aside from gaming I do enjoy the outdoors, fishing, and hiking.
Colton Maybee
I am from Yakima Washington and graduated from West Valley High School in 2018. I am pursuing a degree in computer science. I have always had an interest in technology. After high school I got a job cabling communication systems in commercial environments. Now I would like to further my career by getting involved with digital side of these networks. In my free time I play video games but, nothing beats getting together with your closest friends for some Dungeons and Dragons.
Yaritza Maravilla
Hello, my name is Yaritza S. Maravilla, I am a biology major with a concentration in Biomedical Science. I would like to complete my baccalaureate degree after which I hope to apply to medical school to pursue a career as an MD. I would like to become a doctor to treat diseases and care for patients in my community. The environment can cause many diseases and affect people's health. Environmental toxicology is an important topic for me because many farmworkers are at risk because of toxins such as pesticides. Becoming a doctor is important to me because I want to provide for farmworkers and everyone else just like they provide for us. I come from a hardworking family who all work in the fields for a better future. I would like to show them I am very grateful and thankful and their hard work has paid off. I would also like to thank the EAGLES Scholarship staff and the NSF for this great opportunity.
Andrea Mendoza
My name is Andrea Mendoza and I graduated from A.C. Davis Highschool in 2019. I was born and raised in Yakima and have always wanted to give back to my community in my own way. If life has taught me anything it is to expect the unexpected. That is how I came across my way of giving back. After a few years of exploration and self-discovery I came across a wonderful teacher that captivated my imagination through biology. She opened my eyes to the beauty that is within everything. It was at this moment I knew I wanted to study biology. I want to be able to give this view of life to others in hopes of inspiring them like I was once inspired through teaching. I hope to be as instrumental in someone’s life as my teachers have been to me. This is how I would like to give back to my community, by helping young minds see the world around them in a different light. This scholarship has been life changing for me and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to chase my dreams.
Stephanie Rabanales
Hello, My name is Stephanie Rabanales. I am from Sunnyside Wa. I am a transfer student at HU and am a rising junior. I am pursuing a BS in biology degree with a Biomedical track. After completing this I hope to become a part of the Physician’s Assistant program here at Heritage. When I am not in class or studying, I enjoy cooking, exercising, and spending time with my family- especially with my nieces and nephew. They are what inspired me to seek a higher education and I hope my future accomplishments as a first generation college graduate will motivate them to go after their dream career. I have been enjoying my time here at Heritage University and am extremely excited to continue learning and see what new opportunities arise thanks to this program.
Maria Vaca
Hello my name is Maria Vaca and I am from Yakima, Washington. I am currently a sophomore at Heritage University and am majoring in Environmental Science and Psychology. I have always had an interest in protecting the environment because of the values my family handed down to me. I hope in the future to be able to raise awareness on how others can do their part in protecting the environment in their everyday life; that we do have many alternatives that would not have as many costly effects. I would also love to be able to work with organic polymers and be able to work with labs creating products that are environmentally friendly.
My family has always been my biggest support system and they are the reason why I continued my education. I grew up hearing the phrase, “we came here to give you the future you wouldn’t have in our home country,” and that always motivated me to do better for myself and them. My two sisters have both already finished/almost finished their schooling, one who is currently a Labor and Delivery Nurse and the other would like to go to Med School.
I enjoy spending my time more at home cuddled up with my dog Ruby and a hot cup of tea, knitting, embroidering, painting, or the occasional video game. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to continue to my education thanks to the Eagles Scholarship.
Yoana Torres
My name is Yoana Torres. I am a first generation college student, neither of my parents even finished elementary school! Which is why I was and always am grateful for my education. I am majoring in Biology with a concentration in biomedical science. My goal is to continue my education after I receive my Bachelors degree. I want to pursue a career in the health pathway. My dream has always been to help whether that pertains to a person or the environment. If I were to choose any skills in the world, I would choose the skills needed to contribute to someone's healing. The goal I have in mind is to help heal especially those who are in underserved countries.
Daniela Solis
My name is Daniela Solis, I was born in Yakima Washington and have lived there my whole life. I graduated from AC Davis Highschool and YVC in 2019. I am currently majoring in Biology, I want to be able to go into medical school after getting my bachelors. My motivation for pursuing a degree is being able to help the people around me with the knowledge that I acquire. Some of my favorite hobbies are going camping and hiking.
Ruby Guevara
My name is Ruby Guevara, I am a rising junior pursuing my undergraduate degree in Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Science. I was born and raised in the lower Yakima Valley. I attended the Wapato School District and graduated in 2011. My educational goals have shifted over the years, yet I remain committed to be the first college graduate in my family. Once I complete my undergraduate degree in Biology, I plan to continue my journey towards medical school. My career goal is to obtain an MD-PhD and actively work with patients while conducting medical research. Overall, I want to give back by providing quality community based healthcare to the underrepresented children, women and men living in the Yakima Valley.
Adan Robles
My name is Adan Robles born in Toppenish Washington but raised in Zillah Washington. I graduated Toppenish High School in 2019, which now makes me a Sophomore at Heritage University. I am currently on track with the pre-engineering program and plan to major in Mechanical Engineering. My dream has always been to find better ways to help the community do their daily activities with ease. Some of the people who motivated me to pursue my degree are my parents, my high school teachers, and other engineers. My favorite hobbies are playing soccer, drawing, listening to music, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. Thanks to this opportunity given to me, I am closer to achieving my goals and I hope new opportunities to learn arise thanks to this program.
Anthony Brooks
My name is Anthony Brooks, but I go by Tony. I was born in Seattle Washington. I have lived in the big cities all my life. I am the first in my family to attend college and graduate with an associates degree. I have always wanted to pursue a college degree, but mainly because I felt like I could help others who are in a similar predicament. Biology has always caught my interest; because of the complexity of the human body. There are so many moving components that makes up the human body. Therefore, my interest has been surrounded by learning the fundamentals of medicine. My goal is to apply to Medical School and become an Emergency Medicine Doctor. Some of my hobbies that I thoroughly enjoy are playing basketball, football and soccer. I also like watching action movies, and singing.
Cristian Cruz Sanchez
My name is Cristian Cruz Sanchez and I am a freshman at Heritage University. I graduated from Eisenhower High School where I also did Running Start at Yakima Valley College. I enjoy working and restoring mechanical or technological items, fishing, and animals. I have a bearded dragon and a dog named scout who is my best friend. Both of my parents are from Mexico (Michoacán and Hidalgo).
I am majoring in pre-engineering in order to accomplish my end goal of becoming the first in my family to obtain a bachelor’s degree and to become a successful mechanical engineer. I enjoy the process of thinking critically and planning out the development of a project to solve a problem affecting the world.
The environment is important to me since the earth contains all forms of biodiversity that keep humanity alive. If the environment is not taken care of then natural resources will become more scarce affecting future generations way of living. As the population continues to grow it becomes very difficult to keep and maintain a healthy environment.
Jeff Brannon
Hi, my name is Jeff Brannon. I was born in Silver City, New Mexico and spent most of my youth between Albuquerque, Boston, and Eugene, Oregon. I am pursuing a BS in Biology on the Medical Laboratory Scientist track, however, I am very excited for the unique opportunities this scholarship program provides in opening my eyes to ecology and the environment. I strongly believe that the greatest obstacle for human civilization and, more broadly, the social order we've come to know arise from climate change. I am particularly interested in investigating the intersection of restorative aquaculture and the sciences. Some of my favorite past times include writing prose, spending time with my family, current events, and keeping up with new developments in microbiology and integrated multitrophic aquaculture.
Indys Lindgren
My name is Indys Lindgren. I was born in Davis, California and moved up to Yakima when I was four years old. I am currently studying Evironmental Science and plan on becoming a GIS officer or an evironmental planner. I value the environment simply because it is a part of our world. We have a responsibility to take care of this planet. I hope to be able to help keep our environment safe and healthy through my future work.
Miguel Angel Ayala
My name is Miguel Angel Ayala. I am a freshman at Heritage university. I just graduated this year from Sunnyside High School. I am planning on majoring in Mathematics. I would like to become a high school teacher or maybe a k-8 teacher though I still have not decided yet. I am the oldest out of four. I have 3 younger brothers that have always looked up to me as their role model. I enjoy the environment and would like to help improve it and help others understand the type of different issues that are occurring and how to possibly make changes. I have become more adventurous this summer hiking and camping which are things that are new to me. I am excited and thankful to be able to take part in this amazing opportunity as an Eagle scholar.