Goodyear student awarded Empowering Diversity Scholarship

A Goodyear high school senior is among 25 Arizona residents awarded the Empowering Diversity Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year, a program made possible through a partnership between Fiesta Sports Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue).

Maria Palacios, a graduating senior from Desert Edge High School, will attend Arizona State University to study biomedical sciences. The Mexican-American student, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. before she was born, aspires to become a pediatrician and hopes to intern with a physician to gain real-world experience.

“This Empowering Diversity Scholarship is an answer to my prayers. This year, my family has struggled financially more than ever before. Thankfully, it is not extreme but it is still significant, and we notice how much we live paycheck-to-paycheck. We decided the best option for me is to house on campus at ASU, and this scholarship will cut the cost of housing in half. It lightens the worry a little and it gives my parents something to lean on,” said Palacios.

Now in its sixth year, the Empowering Diversity Scholarship has provided financial aid and support to 144 Arizonans, including this year’s recipients. The latest round of awards totals $92,500 in scholarships and wraparound services, bringing the program’s cumulative funding to $539,500 since its 2020 launch.

“Too often, individuals face barriers in their pursuit of higher education. Many times, these same individuals need people to believe in their dreams, which can propel them to great heights,” said Erik Moses, executive director and CEO of Fiesta Sports Foundation. “I am inspired by this year's Empowering Diversity Scholarship recipients, with their aspirations to be leaders and gamechangers in their desired professional paths. Fiesta Sports Foundation is proud to invest in their futures to help them pursue their dreams.”

Funded jointly by Fiesta Sports Foundation and AZ Blue, the scholarship aims to empower underrepresented Arizonans by improving access to post-secondary education and GED completion. It offers $5,500 each to students attending Arizona colleges and universities, along with support from Be A Leader Foundation or Education Forward Arizona. GED track recipients receive $1,000 awards to help cover testing fees, educational materials, and services from College Depot.

“AZ Blue is proud to support these remarkable individuals who are shaping Arizona's future,” said Paul Penzone, vice president and community relations officer at AZ Blue. “These scholars inspire us with their resilience, ambition, and commitment to making a difference in their communities.”

This year’s 25 recipients represent seven counties across the state: Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, Mohave, Apache, Coconino and Yavapai. Nine scholarship recipients will attend or are currently enrolled at Arizona State University, with seven at the University of Arizona. Northern Arizona University and Mohave Community College will each welcome one recipient.

The recipients’ academic and career aspirations span fields such as medicine, architecture, and social work. The program underscores Arizona’s commitment to educational equity in one of the nation’s most diverse states.

Applicants must be Arizona residents and identify as racial or ethnic minorities. Those on the post-secondary track must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be attending or planning to attend an Arizona college or university. GED track applicants must be at least 16 years old, not enrolled in high school or college, and have not received a high school diploma or equivalent.

Visit FiestaSportsFoundation.org/DiversityScholarship for more information.