The 2022 Flinn Scholarship, which provides a full ride for college at one of Arizona’s public universities, has been awarded to 20 of Arizona’s highest-achieving students, including four who live in Mesa.

They are:

• Emily Delabarra, Gilbert High School, a Mesa resident.
• Natasha Kiriluk, Westwood High School in Mesa;
• Lydia Pastore, Red Mountain High School in Mesa; and
• Bradley Reece, Faith Christian School in Mesa.

The Flinn Scholars Program, supported by the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation in partnership with Arizona’s three state universities, covers the cost of tuition, fees, housing, meals and at least two study-abroad experiences.

The prestigious, merit-based Flinn Scholarship — now in its 37th year — is valued at more than $130,000. It is available only to Arizona high-school seniors.

“This new class of Flinn Scholars persevered through a pandemic and excelled in the classroom and as athletes, volunteers, musicians and school leaders during an incredibly challenging time,” Anne Lassen, Flinn Foundation vice president, scholarship and education initiatives, said in the release. “The foundation is excited for what lies ahead for this new class of Flinn Scholars as they begin their undergraduate journeys intent on improving our state and world.”

The Flinn Scholars Program received 1,095 applications last fall for the 20 scholarships. Flinn Scholars are selected based on academic rigor and performance, as well as leadership and service, communication skills, and personal characteristics.

The Class of 2022 Flinn Scholars plan to major in a wide range of fields, including pre-med, physics, journalism and mass communications, biology, political science, neuroscience and cognitive science, music education, business entrepreneurship, and more.

“The Flinn Scholars come from cities and towns, urban and rural environments, high schools large and small, and yet they all share this passion to not only succeed academically, but to pursue fields of study that will best enable them to contribute to the future success of Arizona,” Flinn Foundation president and CEO Tammy McLeod said in the release.

The Flinn Scholarship enables recipients to complete their undergraduate degrees without debt. Other benefits include:

• Funding for an international summer seminar after the scholar’s freshman year and at least one additional study-abroad experience;
• Participation in a community of nearly 700 current and alumni Flinn Scholars, including about 80 scholars studying at the three universities at any given time;
• Membership in a university honors college, with amenities including small classes, access to top researchers and guest lectures;
• Personal mentorship from top faculty and exposure to Arizona and global leaders in business, government, science, and the arts at exclusive events; and
• Intellectual, cultural and social activities developed for Flinn Scholars by both the Flinn Foundation and the universities.

The Flinn Scholars Program, established in 1986, is operated by Flinn Foundation Scholarship Program LLC and supported by the Flinn Foundation, a Phoenix-based private, nonprofit, grantmaking organization that aims to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. The foundation also supports the advancement of Arizona’s bioscience sector, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership and its flagship Flinn-Brown Fellowship.