Oh, the Places You’ll Go

“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So…get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

For every Heritage University graduate, there is a book of stories— stories of challenges met, obstacles overcome, victories celebrated, and paths yet to be traveled. For some, Heritage is the launching pad into the job that will build into a rewarding career. For others, it is the start of an academic journey that will take them into graduate and doctoral studies.

Here’s where five of our Class of 2019 are heading now that this chapter of their life has ended. Oh, the places they’ll go!

 

MARIA VILLANEUVA

B.S., Chemistry

Throughout her undergraduate studies at Heritage, Maria took full advantage of the research opportunities that were offered to her. She studied human diseases at the University of Virginia and at Montana State University and plant diseases with the USDA in Wapato. What her experiences taught her was that she wanted to be on the patient care side of things in the health care field. Maria applied to the Washington State University Doctor of Pharmacy program and was one of only a handful of applicants accepted. She will start in the four-year program this fall.

 

 

SHELBY CLARK

B.S.N, Nursing

Ever since she was 10 years old, Shelby wanted to be a nurse, just like her aunt who served as a nurse in the Army. When she started at Heritage, her goal was to graduate and start a career as a flight nurse. However, after two rotations at Indian Health Services, she developed a passion for public health. Her advisor, Dr. Christine Nyirati suggested she apply to the University of Washington’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, Population Health Track. Much to her surprise, Shelby was admitted and will start in the program this fall. Her goal is to return to the Yakama Nation to work for her tribe to help improve the healthcare system.

 

 

JOHNATHAN SCHAB

B.A., Business Administration

Johnathan entered Heritage with the goal of graduating in just three years. Not only did he accomplish this goal, he did so with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

As part of his degree requirements, Johnathan completed a summer internship with Ramsey Companies, a family-owned conglomerate in the lower Yakima Valley. They were so impressed with him that they offered him a full-time position as a financial analyst after graduation. He started his career early this summer.

 

 

CASSANDRA GARCIA

B.S., Biology

Cassandra entered Heritage set on becoming a teacher. However, partway through her education she had a change of heart and decided to work towards a career where she could work with the animals that she loves. With her advisor’s help, she became a science major and created a plan to become a veterinarian.

Admission into veterinary school is notoriously competitive, with nearly 1,500 students clamoring for 133 seats at Washington State University alone. Starting this fall, Cassandra will be one of those lucky few who are joining the Doctor of Veterinary Science Class of 2022.

 

 

JHEYMY MERCADO

B.S.W., Social Work

Jheymy is passionate about helping people suffering from mental illness to live their best life. She completed her practicum working at Comprehensive Health Care and was hired by the company shortly thereafter. She is a case manager who works with incarcerated men who have been found to be unfit to stand trial, helping them to prepare for their legal proceedings. In addition to entering her career, Jheymy was accepted into the social work graduate program at Eastern Washington University. She will be a full-time grad student, and full-time employee starting this fall.

 

 

To see a special message from Johnathan, Cassandra and Jheymy about their time at Heritage and the importance of scholarships, go to heritage.edu/sdvideo.

Class of 2019 SIMPLY UNSTOPPABLE!

Ida Moses-Hyipeer, B.A. Business Administration, celebrates walking across the stage after getting her diploma.

All totaled, 363 men and women earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees at Heritage this academic year.

“Commencement is always a special moment,” said Dr. Kazuhiro Sonoda, provost. “We are all honored to share this moment with them.”

Commencement speaker Washington State Supreme Court Justice Steven Gonzalez

This year’s commencement address was given by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Steve González. He was appointed to the State Supreme Court in January 2012 and subsequently won two contested races for six-year terms starting in 2013 and 2019. Prior to his appointment, González had served as a trial judge on the King County Superior Court.

In addition to González’s address, two graduating students gave their remarks. Cristy Fiander (B.A., Environmental Studies) presented the baccalaureate student address and George Pope, (M.A., Medical Sciences) gave the master’s degree student address.

Heritage V.P. for Student Affairs Melissa Hill introduces Cristy Fiander (B.A., Environmental Studies.)

Fourteen graduates received the Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award, which is given to undergraduates who completed their degree with a perfect 4.0-grade point average. This year’s recipients were: Brenda Cardona, Social Work; Janette Cardona, Social Work; Fatima  Delgado, Social Work; Rylie Dixon, Social Work; Kimberling Garibay, Social Work; Delia Garza, Elementary Education; Amanda Goodman, Social Work; Rachel LaBelle, Psychology; Domitila Morales, Social Work; Jennifer Mitchell, Elementary Education; Kelsey Picard, Nursing; Johnathan Schab, Business Administration; Kyle Wandling, Accounting; and Mette Warnick, Accounting.

Naomi Leon Guerrero and Matthew Braun, both M.A., Medical Science

Yesenia Lopez, B.A., Business Administration

 

The President’s Student Award of Distinction, which is given to an undergraduate with a distinguished record of academic excellence and service to the university, was awarded to Shelby Clark, nursing.

 

 

 

 

David Wise and Maria Villalobos-Bevins

 

 

Honoring a Role Model

Every year, Heritage honors an alum whose service and professionalism embody the teachings of the university. This year’s Violet Lumley Rau Alumnus of the Year award recipient was Maria Villalobos-Bevins (M.Ed., 1986)

Villalobos-Bevins was one of the university’s earliest students. After earning her education degree, she went on to a 26-year career as a teacher in the Yakima Valley. Additionally, she is active in her community, volunteering as a translator for physicians at the Union Gospel Mission and serving as a visiting preacher working with incarcerated women in the Yakima County Jail. Villalobos-Bevins is also part owner of Hispanavision and leads a weekly television program that airs on several of the station’s channels.

Legal Eagles

Legal Internships Give Students Opportunities to Serve Their Communities

Last semester, two Heritage students took a different route to work than normal. In January, they began six-month fellowships at two local organizations, working with attorneys to get a sneak peek at what a law career might look like. The program is called The American Rural Communities (ARC) Law & Policy Fellowship, and it was launched last year as a collaborative between Heritage, Columbia Legal Services (CLS), Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and PopUp Justice.

HANDS-ON, REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE BUILDS STUDENT SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE

Senior Noemi Sanchez, a history major, joined Columbia Legal Services as an intern-fellow and junior Maria Rivera, who is studying criminal justice and history, joined the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The non-profits provide legal services to underrepresented populations in the community. CLS advocates for laws that promote social, economic and racial equity for those in poverty, often through class action litigation. Northwest Immigrant Rights Project devotes itself to supporting immigrants through advocacy, legal services and education.

Maria Rivera at the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project in Granger, Wash.

During these internships, the students were mentored by practicing attorneys and gained practical, professional skills as well as learned about experiences other attorneys had in law school and in their careers – especially as people of color. In addition, the students promoted and were guests at a set of workshops called the Lunchbox Series. The series brought together experts in law and social justice who are advocates versed in the diversity and unique aspects of rural communities to share thoughts, provide guidance and answer questions.

The organizations maximized the students’ skills and their enthusiasm to dive in, introducing them to cases and tasking them with projects like conducting client interviews; gathering, organizing and cataloging research; and distributing information about resources through community outreach.

LIVED EXPERIENCE LEADS STUDENTS DOWN DIFFERENT LEGAL PATHS

Sanchez and Rivera learned about the fellowships from Kim Bellamy-Thompson, who is chair of the Social Sciences department at Heritage. “Both students see the need for social change in the community,” said Thompson. “I knew they would be interested in the fellowship.”

Thompson said she looked for juniors or seniors who have strong writing skills and even more so, have a fire in them, believing that action for these causes can lead to a change.

PIPELINE TO LEAD MORE LOCAL STUDENTS TO RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY

For her part, Sanchez was trying to figure out if law school was a must for her real career passion, public policy, which propels social justice through legislation. Rivera was certain law school was her next step, but she wanted more exposure to daily life as an attorney as well as more direction about proceeding to law school.

Senior Noemi Sanchez at Columbia Legal Services in Yakima.

Lori Isley, a directing attorney at CLS, said students like Sanchez are an asset to her organization and the community.

“This has been a very exciting collaboration,” said Isley, who was one of Sanchez’s supervisors and mentors. “One exciting part for me is developing a pipeline from our community into law school by providing context and connection and then having them come back and serve our community.”

Sanchez has been working on the organization’s Working Family Project, which focuses on the undocumented community and farm workers. This is a special interest for Sanchez because she grew up in a family of farm workers and she saw workers with untreated injuries or wage issues who were afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs. As a student who identifies as a queer and non-binary student, Sanchez is also passionate about advocating for LGBTQ inclusion in the schools.

“So many Heritage students bring lived experiences of the challenges faced by many in our community,” confirmed Isley. “Having them makes our work more effective. Their own stories are a source of power, and it helps them connect with others on the journey.”

Isley said Sanchez organized research and cataloged information requests so litigation could proceed more quickly and smoothly. She also helped elevate the organization’s community outreach by assisting Insley with visits to camps of H2A workers, using social media to locate and reach out creatively to people in Mexico for a case, and even recorded a Facebook video to explain a settlement in layperson’s terms. Community outreach actually proved to be one of Sanchez’s favorite aspects of the work.

“It’s been really exciting,” said Sanchez about their visits to the camps. “I love to connect with people and show them they are not alone. This means a lot to me because my parents and grandparents didn’t have access to these things.”

Sanchez is still planning to work in public policy, but she has decided that law school can equip her to do that, first at the city and county level, and later, she hopes, at the state level. “When I first came here, I was unsure about law school, because I’m so policy driven,” she said. “What I learned is policy changes can come out of litigation, so even as an attorney, I can still create change.”

NON-PROFIT ENVIRONMENT, CLIENT STORIES IMPACT RIVERA

While Sanchez was pondering the value of law school, Rivera needed no such confirmation. She had been single-mindedly pursuing the goal of earning a Juris Doctorate from the minute she set foot on the Heritage campus. She had taken two years off after high school and had worked for a law firm during that time, so she knew it was what she wanted. When she joined the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, however, she was surprised by how much she enjoyed the non-profit environment, something she admits she had never considered.

“There are four attorneys here working 100 cases, and they all have pretty big hearts,” said Rivera, who described the all-female office staff she worked with as nurturing, strong and persistent.

The fellowship dovetailed with Rivera’s long-term goal to practice immigration or criminal law in the Valley. She has a curiosity to know what makes people do what they do and for uncovering details that may prove someone’s innocence.

Rivera said her daily tasks were similar to a paralegal’s. She took notes, researched background information on immigrants’ countries of origin to document facts that could strengthen their cases for remaining in the U.S. Many clients had difficult lives before arriving in the Valley.

“I’ve taken the declarations of two clients so far,” said Rivera, who explained that it’s part of the immigration process. “They sit down with me and tell their stories about why they came to the U.S. many times, traumatic events have occurred, and it’s a process that results in the reopening of those wounds.”

As Rivera guides them gently through conversations that can take two or three hours, she tries to capture as much detail as possible while walking slowly toward topics that are painful for them. She believes it’s a privilege to be entrusted with their stories. “It’s not something I take lightly,” she said somberly.

Both Rivera and Sanchez now share the same goal – attending law school and then returning to the Valley to put their law degrees to work in their community.

Bellamy-Thompson said the fellowship would not be possible without someone willing to step up and fund it. Thankfully the Laurel Rubin Farm Worker Justice Project stepped in and provided all of the funding necessary. Isley shared that the project, which exists to make internships available to students interested in pursuing law careers that provide services to farm workers in Washington, has a long history of funding law school students, but this was the first time the organization supported undergraduates.

“We can do great things if we have the funding,” said Thompson, who hopes to offer the ARC Fellowship again to students in spring 2020.

“I can’t imagine not coming back to this community after law school,” concluded Sanchez, who is hoping to begin law school in the fall of 2021. “I just want to give back to the people who have given so much to me.”

Heritage University announces first-ever “Eagle Giving Day” June 27 to boost student scholarships

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Heritage University announces first-ever “Eagle Giving Day” June 27 to boost student scholarships

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University friends, donors, and alumni will have the opportunity to help make college possible for countless students by participating in the university’s first-ever “Eagle Giving Day” on Thursday, June 27. Every dollar raised during this one-day online fundraising campaign will go directly to student scholarships.

David Wise, VP of Advancement and Marketing at HU, said the university has been blessed by generous supporters who believe in the Heritage mission of providing students an opportunity to earn a college degree regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. “Nearly every student who has ever attended Heritage has had scholarship support thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors. If there is one constant in this valley it is the belief that education offers the best mechanism to transform lives, and the women and men of the Yakima Valley have demonstrated this belief through their giving,” said Wise. “All of us are lifted up when we provide those who are most in need, with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

HU alumni are also being invited to help provide scholarships to students who are following in their footsteps. Alumni will be able to support students in the programs of their choice. “Social workers can give to social work majors, teachers can give to education majors, nurses can give to nursing majors, and so on,” said Wise. “It is not the size of the gift that matters, lots of small gifts add up to really big opportunities for students. And as added incentive an anonymous alum has agreed to match every gift up to the first $5,000!“

Gifts can be made before and through June 27 using Heritage University’s secure online donation form at heritage.edu/givingday, or by calling (509) 865-8587.

For more information contact David Mance at (509) 855-0731 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University to host week-long career-enhancing seminar for Yakima Valley teachers

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Heritage University to host week-long career-enhancing seminar for Yakima Valley teachers

Toppenish, Wash. – Yakima Valley teachers will gain insight into the science of how children learn, and learn how to re-engage their students as part of the Summer Institute Neuroscience of Learningat Heritage University July 15-19. In this immersive course, a framework and foundation in evidence-based Neuroscience is taught that empowers educators. Teachers will gain insight into the science behind how children learn and will be given practical and proven skills to identify and re-engage students.

The Summer Institute Neuroscience of Learning is a program of Neural Education, Institute for Connecting Neuroscience with Teaching and Learning. Its founder, Kieran O’Mahony, Ph.D., FRGS, is a learning sciences fellow with the University of Washington College of Education LIFE (Learning in Informal and Formal Environments) Center. The LIFE Center was the first Science of Learning Center funded by the National Science Foundation whose primary objective was to investigate social, cognitive and neuroscience of how people learn. “Education in America has stagnated, as efforts to raise education levels during the last 50 years have gone nowhere,” said Dr. O’Mahony. “By using a neural lens, we can positively affect our education deficiencies by giving teachers tools and practices that align with how the brain works and how children learn.”

Neural Education aims to enhance education outcomes by inspiring teachers to ignite their classroom using research-based brain science methodologies which allow them to manage the classroom by managing the brain; provide K-12 professional development to help educators realize a new paradigm – a way of thinking about teaching and learning using a neural lens; translate neuro-scientific research (how the brain processes and retains information) into accessible practices and processes; and improve educational outcomes for all students by empowering them to access their own potential as they understand themselves and see themselves as learners. O’Mahony is passionate about how these new methodologies have changed the learning world since the Decade of the Brainin the early years of this century. “It shocked me to realize that for all my years in the classroom, I hadn’t taken any classes on how the human brain works or how children’s brains learn. Today, teachers get to understand the organ that is most influential in learning—the cognitive machinations of each brain—as we create learning spaces that work in their schools.”

“In order to overcome these education deficiencies which may leave anxious and disengaged students behind, we need a new perspective that breaks free of the current system that isn’t working,” said Kari Terjeson, the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Heritage University. “Neural educators view teaching and learning as collaborative practices that grow cognitive capacity with the goal of helping every student reach their full potential.”

Heritage University will host the basic summer institute during the week of July 15-19. Participants will learn how to create a stress-free classroom, eliminate disciplinary referrals, increase academic performance and help students self-engage with voice and agency. The Basic Institute cost is normally $995, but with every teacher being sponsored at 90%, the final cost is $99.50, and those who complete the week will earn 35 clock hours.

To register for theSummer Institute Neuroscience of Learning, visit Neuraleducation.org.For more information, contact David Mance at (509) 865-0731 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

 

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Pacific Power Foundation gives $3,000 grant to Heritage University for student scholarships

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Pacific Power Foundation gives $3,000 grant to Heritage University for student scholarships

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University is pleased to announce it has once again been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Pacific Power Foundation. This is the fourth year in a row Heritage has received the grant, which will be used to fund scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the health sciences and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

David Wise, VP of Advancement and Marketing for Heritage, was presented with a grant check from Lori Froehlich, regional business manager of the Pacific Power Foundation on June 5. “I am grateful for Pacific Power Foundation’s continued support of Heritage University’s mission of providing educational opportunities for students of the Yakima Valley. This generous grant will help the students who have the drive but not the financial means to obtain the education that prepares them for exciting and rewarding careers in health sciences and STEM, two of the fastest-growing industries today,” said Wise.

Pacific Power Foundation’s Lori Froehlich presents a check to Heritage University’s David Wise

Froehlich said Pacific Power Foundation supports Heritage University’s mission of making a college education accessible to anyone with the talent and drive to pursue a degree is in close alignment to the Foundation’s support for projects that best serve community interests. “We’ve seen how communities across the nation strive to bolster its numbers of technology and healthcare workers. We are happy to support Heritage and its work to prepare students to thrive in these important fields.”

For more information, contact David Wise at (509) 865-0717 or wise_d@heritage.edu.

About the Pacific Power Foundation

The Pacific Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.8 million customers in six Western states as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington, and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/foundation.

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Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner raises over $745,000 for student scholarships

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Annual Heritage University event raises $745,000 for student scholarships

 

Toppenish, Wash. – The Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner, the premier annual event in the Yakima Valley dedicated to raising scholarship funds for Heritage University students, brought in $742,275 this past weekend. Gifts continue to pour in as an additional $3,200 has arrived for a grand total of $745,475 as of Wednesday.

This year marked the 33rd anniversary of the event that celebrates the many talented men and women who are transforming their lives, and our communities, enabled by the gifts of the generous individuals who make it possible for them to earn their college degrees.

Heritage University students served as hosts for the 250 guests of the event, welcoming them as they arrived on campus, sharing their Heritage experiences and expressing their gratitude for their ongoing investment in the university. Shelby Clark, who served as the event’s student speaker, is a 2019 graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and has been accepted into the prestigious and highly competitive Doctor of Nursing Program at the University of Washington. Clark says she’s grateful for the opportunities she’s received, which were made possible by the generosity of Heritage University supporters. “It was gifts like yours which allowed me to be in a position to make life-changing discoveries,” she said in her speech to donors. “Thank you for believing that Heritage students are worthy.”

Jim Barnhill, a longtime champion of Heritage University, was overjoyed by the generosity he witnessed from longtime donors and new supporters. “Every year this event is spectacular and every year it just gets better and better,” said Barnhill. “The people of this valley believe in the power of education. By donating to scholarships, we are investing in our community as these students will go on to become professionals in the medical, education and business fields who will work here and become the next generation of leaders in the Yakima Valley,” he said.

Since its inception 33 years ago, more than $6 million has been raised at the event, with every dollar going directly to student scholarships. Senior Director of Donor Development and organizer of the Bounty of the Valley, Dana Eliason, said it’s an amazing experience to watch our donor community and our students get together at this event year after year. “The bond that is formed between students and donors is magical. Our donors get to see their investment in Heritage come alive by meeting our students,” she said.

To make a donation to student scholarships, visit http://www.heritage.edu/giving/donate-now/and select “Scholarship Dinner Fund” from the Designation drop down menu. For more information contact Dana Eliason at (509) 865-0441 or eliason_d@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University announces Spring 2019 Dean’s List

 

Heritage University Announces Spring 2019 Dean’s List

 

Toppenish, Wash. –  The following are students who earned a place on the Heritage University Dean’s List for the spring 2019 semester.  To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must be full-time, matriculated undergraduates who have earned semester grade point averages of 3.5 or better.

 

Marixa Abarca-Perez, Kennewick Gissell Aguilar, Grandview Amalia Akagi, Yakima
Paulina Alcala, Yakima Brettagne Aleck, Toppenish Sonia Allende, Pasco
Danielle Almanza, Granger Lorena Alvarez, Wapato Yanett Alvarez, Yakima
Maritza Alvarez, Sunnyside Yessyca Alvarez, Grandview Eilee Andujo, Prosser
Adrian Araiza, Yakima Rosalinda Arreola, Toppenish Alonso Arroyo, Wapato
Alejandra Arteaga, Yakima Kimberly Avalos, Toppenish Emma Avalos, Yakima
Clarissa Bahe, Yakima Regina Baker, Toppenish Jeremiah Baker, Toppenish
Hema Balderas, Wapato Yosi Barajas, Yakima Junior Barrera Bucio, Buena
Franchesca Bazan, Selah Elizabeth Benitez, Kennewick Esther Bermudez, Kennewick
Alyson Blair, Kennewick Jeanne Blakeman, Pasco Alyssa Buck, Mattawa
Justin Burke, Yakima Juan Cabrera-Santos, Buena Ruben Calvario, Wapato
Jennifer Cantu, Prosser Roma Cantu, Toppenish Alexandra Cardenas, Toppenish
Janette Cardona, Mattawa Brenda Cardona, Mattawa Jenny Careaga, West Richland
Delia Castanon, Wapato Leslie Castillo, Sunnyside Erica Castro, Wapato
Zachary Catron, Wapato Noelia Causor, Yakima Jocelyn Celis Torres, Wapato
Jennifer Cervantes, Toppenish Kevin Cervantes, Pasco Lizbeth Chavez, Pasco
Diana Chavez Cerda, Yakima Ruben Chino Bustamante, Toppenish Heather Christensen, Richland
Ana Cisneros Chavez, Outlook Shelby Clark, White Swan Gardenia Contreras-Vazquez, Sunnyside
Grace Corning, Benton City Melissa Correa, Pasco Esmeralda Correa, Pasco
Guadalupe Cortes, Wapato Almarosa Cortez, Wapato Kristina Cortez, Moxee
Estefani Cruz, Wapato Veronica Cruz, Sunnyside Vanessa Cruz, Pasco
Brenda Cruz, Granger Stefany Cuaspud Guevara, Kennewick Samuel Cuevas-Carrillo, Grandview
Tamara Cyr, Wapato Ashley Davis, Naches Xavier Day, Toppenish
Connie Delacruz, Yakima Fatima Delgado, Toppenish Esperanza Delgado, Toppenish
Paige Delp, Yakima Jesus Diaz, Zillah Keila Diaz, Granger
Josue Diaz, Mesa Mercedes Diaz, Toppenish Rylie Dixon, Kennewick
Amanda Donelson, Kennewick Taylor Ebbelaar, Grandview Crecenciana Espinoza, Pasco
Nora Espinoza, Yakima Jocelyne Espinoza, Wapato Kaylyn Fairchild, Pasco
Krisana Fernandez, Sunnyside Spencer Fisher, Richland Artemio Flores, Toppenish
Stephanie Flores-Landin, Yakima Antonio Franco, Granger Isela Fuentes, Yakima
Jocelyn Galarza, Zillah Leticia Garcia, Granger Evelyn Garcia, Wapato
Victoria Garcia, Pasco Rosa Garcia, Kennewick Marlenne Garibay, Sunnyside
Kimberling Garibay, Sunnyside Dorothy Garwood, Prosser Lorenzo Garza, Othello
Anahi Garza, Richland Lindsy Gatewood, Pasco Nicole Glatt, Burbank
Sarah Gold, Bellevue Lesly Gomez, Yakima Tania Gomez, Pasco
Isabel Gomez Carrillo, Wapato Carmen Gonzales, Toppenish Diana Gonzalez, Kennewick
Eduardo Gonzalez, Grandview Claudia Gonzalez, Grandview Noe Gonzalez, Toppenish
Alfonso Gonzalez-Colin, Yakima Bianca Gonzalez-Estrada, Wapato Heather Gooss, Moxee
Heidy Granados Lopez, Kennewick Ashley Grego, Richland Shelby Groth, Selah
Brenda Guadarrama, Granger Sonia Guerrero, Toppenish Isaias Guerrero, Outlook
Estefania Guerrero Angel, Granger Yazmine Guido, Yakima Eva Guizar, Kennewick
Gricelda Guizar Gaitan, Yakima Kaylyn Gunnier, Zillah Alissa Gutierrez, Yakima
Yuli Guzman, Yakima Martha Guzman, Yakima Alexis Guzman, Pasco
Melissa Guzman, Pasco Kori Haubrich, Sunnyside Anna Hempel, Kennewick
Mayra Hermosillo, Prosser Elena Hernandez, Wapato Yaritza Hernandez, Yakima
Xochitl Hernandez, Pasco Noemi Hernandez, Pasco Lizbeth Hernandez Islas, Yakima
Pete Herron, Yakima Tracie Hicks, Kennewick Savannah Hill, Wapato
Christina Holland, Kennewick Chaelee Hudson, Yakima Kasey Hutto, Kennewick
Samanta Jimenez, Pasco Alondra Juarez, Wapato Ekman Kaur, Kennewick
Wendy Kleppin, West Richland Viktoriia Konko, Kennewick Valentyn Konko, Kennewick
Marna Kostelecky, Burbank Michael Kummer, Kennewick Rachel LaBelle, Benton city
Jiovanna Lamas, Wapato Maria Lechuga, Wapato Shiraz Lefeber, Pasco
Yovana Leyva Carmona, Wapato Ilse Leyva Manzanarez, Yakima Idalis Licea, Zillah
Andres Lima Elias, Othello Mark Litka, Richland Brittany Loeken, Yakima
Elvira Lopez, Toppenish Yesenia Lopez, Wapato Yezie Lopez-Perez, Yakima
Daisy Luna, Wapato Jennifer Macias, Toppenish Claudia Madrigal, Pasco
Yareli Madrigal Luna, Pasco Mariby Magana, Yakima Marlene Magana, Sunnyside
Herminia Magdaleno, Yakima Kaitlin Maier, Richland Richelle Maki, Kennewick
Edgar Maranon, Wapato Elisa Mariscal, Toppenish Ana Marquez, Grandview
Rosalinda Marquez, Toppenish Lydia Marquez, Yakima Natalie Martinez, Sunnyside
Dulce Martinez, Sunnyside Daisy Martinez, Wapato Enrique Martinez, Toppenish
Andrea Martinez-Santiago, Toppenish Christina Mattson, Richland Stephanie Maybee, Selah
Sara McColloch, Pasco Shaunacy McMurray, Yakima Ashlee Mearns, Kennewick
Judit Medina, Kennewick David Mejia, Yakima Sandra Mena, Granger
Debbie Mendez, Yakima Stephanie Mendoza, Mabton Jazmin Mendoza, Pasco
Guadalupe Mendoza, Umatilla Jesus Mendoza Mendoza, Yakima Diana Meraz, Tieton
Cassandra Mercado, Pasco Jheymy Mercado-Covarrubias, Yakima Rebecca Meza, Sunnyside
Celine Michael, Yakima Gladys Monroy, Pasco Priscila Montiel, Yakima
Brenda Montoya-Roman, Yakima Domitila Morales, Pasco Ana Morales Villafan, Toppenish
Gabriela Moreno, Toppenish Eva Morfin, Kennewick James Muggli, Kennewick
Susana Naranjo, Yakima Guadalupe Navarro, Sunnyside Thuan-Thien Nguyen, Pasco
Andrew Nguyen, Yakima Edith Noriega, Sunnyside Arlene Olea, Sunnyside
Meaghan Oliver, Richland Rosa Olvera, Pasco Daysi Orduño Jacobo, Grandview
Lorena Ornelas, Sunnyside Joel Osorio, Toppenish Esther Osorio, Toppenish
Alexis Oxley, Grandview Rebecca Ozuna, Toppenish Liliana Padilla, Grandview
Miguel Palma, Yakima Mary Pantoja Gonzalez, Yakima Stephanie Pardo, Yakima
Seong Park, Yakima Shane Parkhurst, Kennewick Marcelo Penaloza, Toppenish
Yolanda Penaloza, Mabton Ana Perez, Pasco Hunter Perez, Kennewick
Jasmine Perez, Wapato Sabrina Persinger, Pasco Eric Philipp-Petrick, Yakima
Diana Picazo Villanueva, Outlook Allison Platsman, Sunnyside Angela Ponce, Zillah
Hunter Pryse, Yakima Casey Quantrille, Selah Daisy Quinones, White Swan
Lezly Quintanilla, Yakima Mayra Quintero, Wapato Viridiana Ramirez, Pasco
Elizabeth Ramirez, Toppenish Nichole Ramirez, Hermiston Briceida Ramos, Grandview
Olivia Ramos Alvarez, Kennewick Lazaro Ramos Aragon, Walla Walla Rosa Rangel, Connell
Amy Rapin, Sunnyside Anyssa Rebollero, Yakima Rocio Regis, Toppenish
Araceli Regis, Toppenish Joshua Rein, Wapato Shealynn Reuther, Wapato
Anitramarina Reyna, Yakima Amy Richter, Pendleton Rosa Rios, Moxee
Abigail Rivera, Zillah Timothy Roa, Wapato Morgan Roberts, Kennewick
Ellie Robins, Selah Grisel Rodriguez, Moxee Lizbeth Rodriguez, Wapato
Adriana Rodriguez, Kennewick Cassandra Rodriguez, Grandview Justin Rodriguez, Olympia
Sarah Romano, Richland Juan Romero, Zillah Kristian Romero, Zillah
Robert Romero, Sunnyside Monica Romero Castro, Grandview Erika Romero-Vargas, Pasco
Leidy Rosales, Pasco Eva Rosenow, Kennewick Lizett Ruiz, Yakima
Vah-Leria Sampson, Yakima Mayra Sanchez, Kennewick Nita Sanchez, Zillah
Amarilis Santiago, Toppenish Danielle Sauceda, Pasco Johnathan Schab, Prosser
Erika Scheel, Meridian Robert Schreiber, Yakima Margaret Sewell, Yakima
Jeniya Slutskaya, Kennewick Brandon Smith, Yakima Diana Solorio, Granger
Gerardo Soto, Zillah Maria Soto-Galvan, Yakima Anothony Stewart, Yakima
Christy Taylor, Othello Destiney Theisen, Kennewick Jacqueline Tlatelpa, Sunnyside
Stephanie Tolley, Othello LisaLyn Tormey, Yakima James Torres, Grandview
Maribel Torres, Richland Jonay Torres, Pasco Yanet Torres, Zillah
Brayan Torres, Sunnyside Alejandra Treece, Zillah Daisy Vaca, Wapato
Victoria Valdez, Toppenish Maria Valencia, Toppenish Anakaren Valenzuela, Toppenish
Juan Valladares, Yakima Elizabeth Van Corbach, Sunnyside Brenda Vasquez, Toppenish
Veronica Vigil, Yakima Maurita Villafan, Toppenish Julia Villagomez, Toppenish
Maria Villanueva, Yakima Citlaly Villegas, Wapato Arcelia Virgen, Wapato
Dawn Waheneka, Wapato Kyle Wandling, Pasco Mette Warnick, Richland
Robyn Webster, Yakima Katie Wentz, WhiteSwan Shelby White, Burbank
Devin Williams, Kennewick John Williams, Kennewick Janae Williams, Kennewick
Jasmine Yellow Owl, Zillah Zachary Zamora, Sunnyside Ruby Zarate, Moxee

 

Project NANO Tri-Cities Showcase to highlight student scientific investigations at The Reach Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Project NANO Tri-Cities Showcase to highlight student scientific investigations at The Reach Museum

Pasco, Wash. – Six teams of Tri-Cities area elementary and middle school students will show off their scientific investigations during an event called Project NANO Tri-Cities Showcaseon Wednesday, May 22 at the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center (The Reach Museum)in Richland, Wash.

During Project NANO Tri-Cities Showcase, student teams will deliver oral and poster presentations which are based on their research using a portable scanning electron microscope (SEM). The schools participating in the Showcase include Captain Gray STEM Elementary School, Chief Joseph Middle School, Horse Heaven Hills Middle School, Carmichael Middle School, Marie Curie STEM Elementary School and Barbara McClintock STEM Elementary School. Each team member of the top presenting team will win a Kindle Fire tablet.

Project NANO began as an initiative which brought a portable SEM to Columbia Basin College (CBC) from Portland four years ago, with the goal of making science fun and exciting for teachers and their students. The Showcase developed as an event sponsored by the special outreach partnership between Heritage University in Toppenish, Heritage University at CBC as well as the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland School Districts. The partnership team includes Drs. Kazu Sonoda, Bob Kao and Marisol Rodriguez-Price from Heritage University, Drs. Sherry L. Cady and Josh Silverstein from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), as well as teachers from schools taking part in the competition.

Project NANO Tri-Cities Showcase runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Reach Museum is located at 1943 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, Wash.

For more information, contact Bob Kao at (509) 865-8681 or Kao_R@Heritage.edu.

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Heritage University announces 2019 Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University announces 2019 Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University is proud to announce the 2019-20 academic year recipients of the Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship. This year’s cohort and their high schools or programs are as follows:

Elian Coria Brito – Granger High School
Heidy Lemus – Sunnyside High School
Arely Padilla – West Valley High School
Paola Villanueva – Sunnyside High School
Alejandra Morales – GED Program at Heritage University

The Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship, first awarded in 2018, is Heritage University’s most competitive scholarship.  It provides for the full cost of attendance, including tuition, books, and room and board for up to four years of study to earn a bachelor’s degree in any of the university’s more than 40-degree programs. The scholarship is awarded annually to five incoming students.  This year’s cohort will join last year’s inaugural cohort. In two years, and in perpetuity, there will be a cohort of 20 Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholars on campus in any given year.

Many of the recipients, including Heidy Lemus of Sunnyside High School, learned she received the scholarship during a surprise visit to her school by Heritage admissions counselors accompanied by several of her family members. “I was so happy to learn I received the Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship! I worked so hard to earn this opportunity,” said Lemus.

The Moccasin Lake Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization which seeks to enrich Northwest communities through its charitable contributions. Lisa P. Anderson, President of the Moccasin Lake Foundation, says the endowment created at Heritage by the foundation will provide scholarship funding for deserving students for generations.  “I’m excited to watch these students grow, learn, and graduate,” said Anderson. “It will be very rewarding to then see the amazing things they accomplish in their careers and their lives for the good of their communities.”

Dr. Andrew Sund, President of Heritage University, says he is enthusiastic about the opportunity this scholarship presents to students.  “This gift makes college possible for these five deserving students, and for that, we are truly thankful. It is the generosity of our entire family of supporters that allows us to make higher education accessible to so many promising individuals in our valley. We are grateful for each and every gift- together we are transforming the lives of students, their families and the communities in which they live.”

For more information, contact David Mance, Media Relations Coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

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