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Bright Scholars Awards Recipients 2023

The Bright Foundation is delighted to introduce the 2023 recipients for the Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship, the Lois Dale Bright Scholarship, and the Bright Scholars Persistence Scholarship.

The Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship is a need- and merit-based grant awarded to graduates of Iowa High Schools with outstanding academic achievement and commitment to community service.

Iowa State University

Jolyn Ask
Saige Hengeveld
Dayton Cox
Djemima Mulonda
Elizabeth Noe

University of Iowa

Devan Garman
Ireland Sitzmann
Idella Edwards
Kyle Tran
Emma Luschen

University of Northern Iowa

Karissa Heishman
Kassidy Krapfl
Katelyn Braga
Melissa Jordan
Andrew Morrison

The Lois Dale Bright Scholarship is a need- and merit-based grant designed for graduates of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) who are involved community members with strong potential for success in the college environment.

Iowa State University

Josue Aleman
Selena Gonzalez
Brandon Ramos-Barahona
Angeles Ceballos-Salas
Clowey Tyler
Maverick Baccam
Jawad Ali
Keila Almendarez

University of Iowa

Arthurine Wilson
Tu Truong
Natalia Saldana-Valdez
Alyssa Fisher
Letticia Hinojosa
Zena Lovan
Linda Masengarb
Douglas Flores-Alonzo

University of Northern Iowa

Saige Anderson

Finally, the Bright Scholars Persistence Scholarship is awarded to current undergraduate sophomores/rising sophomores at the three Iowa public universities who have demonstrated high levels of academic achievement and have significant financial needs.

Iowa State University

Shayla Luke
Keaton Kelly
Benjamin Soukup

University of Iowa

Josephine Duccini
Sydney Benscoter
Gabriela Ceballos

University of Northern Iowa

Zachary Henderson
Aaliyah Tournier
Victoria Olson

All scholarships cover the full cost of attendance, less other gift aid, and are renewable for a total of four years of scholarship, or three years total for the persistence award. It is the intent of the Bright Foundation that our awards and support would help these Bright Scholars to graduate on-time with a bachelor’s degree, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers, and give back in some way!

Congratulations to the newest Bright Scholars!

“During college, the Bright Scholarship allowed me to focus on school instead of working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In my three years since college, the same has been true – instead of being forced to worry about accepting any job just to pay my student loans, I’ve been able to chase (and land) my dream job!”

“I cannot even begin to properly thank or even put into words how much this foundation has helped put me on an amazing path to reach and accomplish my dreams. Ever since I was seven years old, I have wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to be able to help people, to make sick people better, to be a healer, and to learn and grow to the fullest of my abilities. Because of the Bright scholarship, these dreams and goals are closer within reach. I am achieving success in ways I never thought were possible. My dreams may have been to help others and learn as much as I possibly can, but this foundation has helped me and given me the chance to do the things I love, to push myself, learn, and experience the joy of hard work and success. This scholarship inspired me to help others as well. Currently, I am pursuing a research opportunity with Dr. Mario Ascoli, Carver College of Medicine, to help with work on finding cures for infertility. I am also in the beginning stages of recruitment for alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority! A lot of things have been going on for me, but none of this would be possible without the Bright Foundation. This foundation gave me the blessing of not having to be stressed, financial security, the ability to reach my goals, but most importantly, faith in myself to do what I love best, so again, thank you.”

“I would like to thank you for your contribution. Without your help, it would be difficult to attend college and pursue my dream career of being a veterinarian. I am extremely honored and hope to give back to foundations like this one day.”

“I would like to take this time to thank you for your contribution towards the scholarship I have been granted through Indian Hills Community College. I will be attending Indian Hills with a major in psychology. I then plan to transfer to a four-year college and potentially graduate school after that to continue my education. Thank you again for your contribution and the endless possibilities you have given me!”

“I am and always will be eternally grateful for what you have done for me and what you’ve done for others. It’s truly amazing how two special people, Lois and Dale Bright, could be so generous in helping others out. I truly aspire to be like them, giving out of generosity and expecting nothing in return. As college rolls on, I get more and more excited to become a teacher of mathematics, not just to teach young adults math, but also to challenge and aspire them to be better people. Without your help though, I am not sure any of that would be possible. For that, I am truly thankful. For now though, I will continue on in college, doing the best I possibly can do and doing my best to represent the Bright Foundation well. Thank you for all you do again, and God Bless.”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”