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The Bright Foundation Announces 2018 Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship Recipients

The Bright Foundation Announces 2018 Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship Recipients

The Bright Foundation is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of its Bright Scholars of Iowa award. This scholarship is a need- and merit-based grants that honor outstanding high school seniors, ensuring they have the financial means to complete a two- or four-year college education without accumulating debt. The Bright Scholars of Iowa is open to students across the state of Iowa.

The 2018 Bright Scholars of Iowa recipients include:

Elvedina Arapovic – University of Northern Iowa
Sidney Ayers – University of Iowa
Kayla Carter – University of Northern Iowa
Erica Crawford – University of Iowa
Mason Drees – Iowa State University
Ethan Fetzer – Iowa State University
Zach Finders – Indian Hills Community College
Allison Hersom – University of Iowa
Brook Hjelmeland – University of Northern Iowa
Zander Ketchum – University of Northern Iowa
Morgan Kluender – Iowa State University
Emily Kuhlmann – University of Iowa
Natasha Orton – Iowa State University
Katelyn Belding – Southwestern Community College
Hannah Pollard – Southwestern Community College
Shayla Rotenburger – Indian Hills Community College
Sky Selvy – Indian Hills Community College
Taylor Towne – University of Northern Iowa
Macy Underwood – Indian Hills Community College
Cynthia Villegas – Iowa State University
Kian Weimer – University of Iowa

The Bright Foundation was founded by H. Dale and Lois Bright in 1957. Since then, it has quietly contributed millions of dollars to Iowa organizations, charities and educational institutions.

“I want to personally thank the Bright Foundation for this year. I would not be nearly as successful without their financial support. I come from an incredibly humble background and the financial stability they have given me in the form of this scholarship has allowed me to commit my highest potential to my classwork. They are the reason I am the student I am today. I have tried to carry the Bright Foundation’s values close to my heart this academic year. I worked extremely hard and devoted much of my outside time to volunteer work. I cannot put into works how grateful I am for the opportunities this foundation has given me. They have laid the groundwork for all of my current and future success. I plan to celebrate these values, and this foundation for the rest of my life.”

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”

“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!”

“Being a Bright Scholar means being part of a family that is selfless and giving, and which strives to provide a better future for today’s youth who, in turn, will contribute to society.”

“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 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.”