Queen Creek High senior wins Flinn Scholarship

After an arduous application process, Queen Creek High School senior Mario Aleman III is one of 20 Arizona students chosen for the prestigious Flinn Scholarship, a merit-based award that gives recipients a full ride to an Arizona public university.

“The overall process in earning the Flinn Scholarship is certainly a lengthy one that requires great effort and patience and at times fills one with much anxiety, but it is worth the wait. I experienced a lot of stress and anxiety throughout the process; however, it is something that I worked to curb, and I would say that it helped me to grow as a person,” Aleman said. “What is life without ups and downs or ebbs and flows? It was truly the rollercoaster of emotions that made it even more exciting.”

Representing 20 high schools, the scholarship winners will be attending Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona starting this fall.

Aleman, 18, who was named a finalist in February, is now ready to start the rest of his academic career and fulfill a life-long dream.

“I plan to pursue the major of medicine in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. I will be in the W. A. Franke Honors College where I have access to some of the most innovative and well-funded research programs in the country,” Aleman said. “My end goal is to go to medical school and eventually become a licensed dermatologist.”

Marking its 40th year, the Flinn Scholarship is a package valued at more than $135,000 over four years that includes tuition, fees, housing, meals and at least two study-abroad experiences, as well as a two-week group summer seminar following a student’s freshman year.

“Receiving the Flinn Scholarship is huge for me, as my family and I have come from humble beginnings and this will mean so much for us,” Aleman said. “This scholarship will allow me to pursue my education without the overbearing burdens of undergraduate debt. This scholarship is also a physical representation of all of the hard work and effort that I have put in these past years and even my whole life.”

With only 20 winners each year, Aleman knew it was a longshot, but he was encouraged to apply by advisors at Queen Creek High and by a previous Flinn Scholarship alternate.

“I also was in need of financial aid to support my education, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for me,” he said.
With such steep odds, it’s no surprise that Aleman was surprised when he heard the good news.

“My first thought was, there is no way, I did it, I overcame all the odds and did the impossible,” he said. “Looking back, the fact that I was one out of 20 selected from a group of over 1,100 applicants is truly impressive and astonishing. Secondly, I thought, yes, I can go to the college of my dreams where I know I will be successful instead of settling for a more affordable college or staying home.”

Aleman credits Queen Creek High and its teachers for propelling him to success by providing him with access to college-level courses and offering extracurricular activities to help his school resume shine.

“The plethora of options available at QCHS enabled me to compete with the top students from all across the state,” he said. “I highly encourage students who are passionate and driven to apply for the Flinn Scholarship. This is one of the best opportunities in the country.”

Aleman gives his biggest thank you to his parents.

“My parents were incredibly proud of me and even more surprised than myself,” he said. “I am so grateful to have had parents who advocated for me in my educational endeavors and pushed me to be the best version of myself. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

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