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The Bright Foundation Announces 2019 Recipients

The Bright Foundation Announces 2019 Recipients

The Bright Foundation is pleased to announce the 2019 recipients of its two scholarships, Bright Scholars of Iowa and the Lois Dale Scholarship.

Both of these are 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 Lois Dale Scholarship is available to students graduating from any of the five comprehensive high schools in Des Moines, while Bright Scholars of Iowa is open to students across the state.

The 2019 Bright Scholars of Iowa recipients include:

Johanna Castillo Aguirre – University of Iowa
Micaiah Clayton – Iowa State University
Brianna Davisson – University of Iowa
Evan Hanson – Indian Hills Community College
Bailey Harward – Indian Hills Community College
Austin Heidbreder – University of Northern Iowa
Emily Jensen – University of Iowa
Clarissa Maldonado – University of Iowa
Jocelyn Martin – Iowa State University
Nadia Marzec – Iowa State University
Grace Petrzelka Gage – University of Northern Iowa
Jenna Plotzke – Iowa State University
Maddy Redmond – University of Northern Iowa
Emily Donner – Southwestern Community College
Seth Sheriff – Indian Hills Community College
Tessa Powers – Southwestern Community College
Anna Smith – Iowa State University
Jada Thompson – University of Northern Iowa
Emilie Vaske – University of Iowa
Mackenzie Wisneski – University of Northern Iowa

The 2019 Lois Dale Scholarship recipients include:

Sauda Abdullahi – University of Iowa
Anthony Arellano – Iowa State University
Edward Castruita – Iowa State University
Lilyahna Kowal – Iowa State University
Jadon Landers – Iowa State University
Evelyn Marquez – Iowa State University
Aracely Miron-Ocampo – University of Iowa
Brandie Paye – Iowa State University
Edwin Rojas – Iowa State University
Day Say – University of Northern Iowa
Paige Sensouk – University of Iowa
Yabsira Tekle – University of Iowa

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”

“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.”

“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 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.”

“I’m a student at DMACC and this award is extremely helpful and appreciated. All this past semester, I’ve been working and going to school while barely making it by. This award will give me the chance to focus on school more. I am so honored to receive it and I am so thankful there are people like you to help college students, like myself, out. I plan on finishing up school and becoming an elementary teacher. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to that goal!”