NAU welcoming 20 Dorrance Scholars to the Class of 2026

Dorrance scholars standing together.

Northern Arizona University is welcoming 20 firstgeneration recipients of the Dorrance Scholarship to the campus this fall. 

The Dorrance Foundation for Education awarded 60 scholarships to Arizona high school students as its 2022 cohort. The prestigious scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families, provide financial access and academic support for recipients and enhance college persistence through unique enrichment experiences. Students must be Arizona residents, current seniors at an accredited Arizona high school, first-generation college students, obtain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, demonstrate a financial need by completing a FAFSA form and attend one of Arizona’s three major universities. The program package is worth more than $100,000 over four years; in its 23rd year, the Dorrance family’s support of this program exceeds $54 million. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our largest class of Dorrance Scholars. In 1999, the Dorrance family established the program with a relatively small gift supporting 10 high school graduates,” said James Hensley, executive director of the Dorrance Foundation for Education. “It has been an incredible honor to shepherd the growth of this program, which has awarded over 560 scholarships to date.”  

 The 20 scholars attending NAU are:  

  • Scottiee Adkins, Phoenix Union Bioscience High School, Phoenix  
  • Haley Anglin, Academy of Tucson High School, Tucson  
  • Alejandro Arevalo Mendoza, Dysart High School, El Mirage  
  • Julia Bziukiewicz, Casteel High School, Queen Creek  
  • Cassie Gill, River Valley High School, Mohave Valley  
  • Colten Hannappel, Sunrise Mountain High School, Peoria  
  • Anastasiya Jonas, Bradshaw Mountain High School, Prescott Valley 
  • Aurora Marshall, Youngker High School, Buckeye  
  • Lucas Morais, Shadow Ridge High School, Surprise  
  • Joseph Parker, Deer Valley High School, Glendale  
  • Fiona Rasco, Moon Valley High School, Phoenix  
  • Kallie Reed, University High School, Tucson  
  • Kenley Reynolds, Amphitheater High School, Tucson  
  • Brooklyn Simmons, Campo Verde High School, Gilbert  
  • Marisela Siqueiros, Trevor Browne High School, Phoenix  
  • Trinity Sloan, Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, Prescott Valley  
  • Miguel Soto-Pachuca, Bourgade Catholic High School, Phoenix  
  • Daniela Valdovinos, Washington High School, Phoenix  
  • Emeline Whaley, Payson High School, Payson  
  • Ivanna Zarahut, Thunderbird High School, Phoenix 

“We are so excited to welcome the 2022 cohort of Dorrance Scholars to NAU and look forward to their many contributions to our university,” said President José Luis Cruz Rivera. “We are grateful they have entrusted us to guide their educational journey and know they will accomplish great things—for themselves and for the communities they represent.”

In addition to receiving financial assistance, Dorrance Scholars participate in a pre-college summer bridge program and a humanities summer program. They also have the opportunity for international study and travel and innovative entrepreneurship experience, as well as mentoring and tutoring.