Iowa High School Graduates Are Bright Scholars of Iowa

Fifty-two Iowa high school graduates have completed their first semester of college after being named recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa Award, a distinction that includes a four-year, full-ride academic scholarship. The scholarships are funded by the Bright Foundation of Des Moines for worthy Iowa high school graduates attending Iowa State University, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Indian Hills Community College, and Southwestern Community College.

"It is our mission to use these scholarships to make a real difference in the lives of young Iowans who can then make a difference in the world," says Dan Kelly, managing director of the Bright Foundation.

2016 Bright Scholar recipients at Iowa State University are Shahil Bhakta of Osceola, Dilan Cummings of Dike, Alex DiMarco of Grimes, Jacob Gockel of Dubuque, Sally Howard of Clutier, Dylan Johnson of Gowrie, Mikayla Novak of Clive, Allison Robinson of Dubuque, Remington Sliger of Nora Springs, Hannah Tjarks of Ellsworth, Jennifer Villa Glavaz of Des Moines, and Cole Whitney of Perry.

2016 recipients at the University of Iowa are Romilia Castillo of Council Bluffs, Connor Christensen of Urbandale, Kennisha Entsminger of Davenport, Angela Guerrero of Sioux City, Candy Heyer of Council Bluffs, Max Hollis of Bettendorf, Angie Kalwies of Coralville, Alan Taylor Kenworthy of Dallas Center, Phat Le of Sioux City, Carolyn Lo of Des Moines, Vivian Ramirez of West Liberty, and Xinyang (Lynda) Wang of Des Moines.

2016 recipients at the University of Northern Iowa are Rasmira Bajramovic of Waterloo, Alexandria Bibbs of Cedar Rapids, Amanda Dedrick of Vinton, Kourtney Ende-Braun of Davenport, Timothy Frandsen of Grand Mound, Taanner Moran of Jesup, Natalie Neuzil of Hopkinton, Sean Riley of Perry, Ela Rizvanovic of Waterloo, Cole Schreiber of Graner, Trevor Wangness of Allison, and Kade Williams of Waterloo.

2016 Recipients at Indian Hills Community College are Ryan Blakeley of Libertyville, Bailey Bland of Ottumwa, Kayla Edwards of Chariton, Curtis Ford of Ottumwa, Sydney Gibson of Moulton, Maddison Hughes of Eddyville, Maisie Hughes of Eddyville, Holly McCoy of Batavia, Kelsey McFarland of Russell, Zachary Peters of Albia, Virginia Schmidt of Sigourney, and Jessica Simons of Udell.

2016 recipients at Southwestern Community College are Madison Mace of Elliott, Lane Neitz of Guthrie Center, Trina Restauro of Mount Ayr, and Selena Sampson of Creston.

To be eligible for a Bright Scholars of Iowa Award, a student must be accepted by one of the universities or community colleges mentioned above. Among specific academic and financial criteria, preference is given to students whose parents have not graduated from an accredited four-year college or university. The award is renewable for up to three additional years, providing the student maintains a 2.50 cumulative GPA. As a part of the application process, the student must submit an essay describing his or her success in the face of adversity. A summary of high school and community service activities, including leadership roles, is also required.

"These students know what it's like to work hard," said Kelly. "This 'gift' is just more motivation for them to pursue their dreams and succeed in college."

For the 2016-2017 school year, a total of 52 Bright Scholars of Iowa Awards were awarded. Initiated in 2012, three Iowa high school seniors, each attending one of the regent universities were recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa Award. These four-year renewable scholarships are designed to make higher education at Iowa universities and community colleges possible for talented young Iowans who may not otherwise have the means to get a college education.

Lois and H. Dale Bright funded the H. Dale and Lois Bright Foundation in 1996. Since that time their Foundation has quietly contributed millions of dollars to Iowa organizations and charities. Dale died in 1996 at age 86. Lois died in 2012 at age 102.

"We worked hard, saved carefully, invested wisely and gave back when we could," Lois said. "I am always surprised when I remember that such a simple formula produced so much."

To learn more about Bright Scholars of Iowa, current scholar students, and how to apply, visit http://www.brightscholarsofiowa.org.

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