Mid-Columbia seniors receive thousands of dollars at HAAP ceremony

Twenty-eight Mid-Columbia students received $78,000 total in scholarships during Friday’s annual Hispanic Academic Achievers Program.

Kennewick High School senior Bianca Chávez earned the top prize, a $10,000 award, to help pay her tuition at Washington State University to study human development.

A Chiawana High School senior, Makayla Valdez, also was honored and expected to receive a sizable scholarship. However that was before the organization learned she was selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar, an award that will fully cover the cost of her education at the University of Washington, where she plans to study nursing.

HAAP, which began in 1990, encourages high academic standards among Hispanic students in Mid-Columbia school districts, including private schools. It recognizes fourth- through 12th-grade Hispanic students who earn a 3.0 grad-point average or better through the current academic year.

Thousands were expected to attend ceremony at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Former HAAP scholar, Jessica Infante-Castro, who recently earned her master’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University, was the keynote speaker.

A record 5,664 students were recognized for meeting the organization’s academic standard, a more than 10 percent jump from the previous year.

The organization initially planned to award about $65,000 in 25 scholarships but some last minute donations allowed HAAP to increase the number of scholarships and some award amounts, officials said.

This year’s scholarship winners are:

▪  Makayla Valdez, Chiawana High School, Gates Millennium Scholarship. Plans to attend University of Washington to study nursing.

▪  Bianca Chávez, Kennewick High School, $10,000. Plans to attend Washington State University to study human development.

▪  Omar Díaz, Chiawana High School, $8,000. Plans to attend Central Washington University to study accounting.

▪  Misael Estrada, Pasco High School, $5,000. Plans to attend Central Washington University to study mathematics.

▪  Zenaida Ruiz Martinez, Connell High School, $3,500. Plans to attend University of Washington to study environmental science.

▪  Jocelyn Degadillo, Pasco High School, $3,000. Plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study dental hygiene.

▪  Josiah Cantu, Chiawana High School, $3,000. Plans to attend University of Washington to study civil engineering.

▪  Sahian Cruz, Pasco High School, $3,000. Plans to attend University of Washington to study pre-law.

▪  Jahaira Licon, River View High School, $3,000. Plans to attend Columbia Basin College and then Eastern Washington University to study business marketing.

▪  Avoree Bell, Pasco High School, $3,000. Plans to attend Washington State University to study enology and viticulture.

▪  Ana Tapia, Pasco High School, $2,500. Plans to attend Heritage University to study social work and psychology.

▪  Abraham Martínez, Chiawana High School, $2,500. Plans to attend Washington State University to study mechanical engineering.

▪  Abraham Mendoza Jr., Delta High School, $2,500. Plans to attend Washington State University Tri-Cities to study chemical engineering or business administration.

▪  Jennifer Lomeli, Kennewick High School, $2,000. Plans to attend University of Washington to study aeronautical engineering.

▪  Rachel Armijo, Tri-Cities Prep, $2,000. Plans to attend Gonzaga University to study computer science or engineering.

▪  Karen Puente, Pasco High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study Spanish education.

▪  Gabriel Alvarado, Hanford High School, $2,000. Plans to attend St. Martins University to study computer science.

▪  Justice Aragon, Chiawana High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University to study nursing.

▪  Yesenia Garcia Garcia, Pasco High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Columbia Basin College to study dental hygiene.

▪  Alexandra Castañeda, Pasco High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Columbia Basin College to study veterinarian studies.

▪  Antonio Rubalcava, Southridge High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Western Washington University to study environmental science.

▪  Amarani Zamora Portugal, Kennewick High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Columbia Basin College and then Washington State University to study accounting.

▪  Vidal Aguilar, Kennewick High School, $2,000. Plans to attend Washington State University to study business.

▪  Jessica García, Connell High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Walla Walla Community College to study nursing.

▪  Maria Enriquez, Connell High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study dental hygiene.

▪  Cassandra Gálvez, Pasco High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study graphic design.

▪  Tate Kautzky, Richland High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Walla Walla Community College to study biology or veterinary medicine.

▪  Vanessa Léon, Pasco High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Washington State University to study architecture.

▪  Alexander Mejia, Kennewick High School, $1,500. Plans to attend Washington State University to study marketing.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Mid-Columbia seniors receive thousands of dollars at HAAP ceremony."