The Desert Financial Foundation awarded nearly $170,000 in college scholarships to 65 Arizona high school seniors and adult learners, including six with Chandler ties.

It is the most scholarships the Foundation has ever awarded at one time.

McClintock High School graduate Gianna Gallegos received the top honor of a $10,000 Community Service Scholarship.

In addition to the scholarships, which ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, each recipient received a backpack of gifts from the credit union to prepare them for their higher education experience. Each backpack included an iPad, an iPad case, AirPods and additional school supplies.

The six Chandler recipents are :

• Claire Adams – received a $2,500 community service scholarship. She graduated from Chandler High school in 2023.

• Elizabeth Reynolds – received a $2,500 community service scholarship. She graduated from Casteel High School in 2023. She volunteered for more than 100 hours in 2022.

•Hanna Soto — received a $2,500 community service scholarship. She graduated from Chandler High School in 2023.

•Juman Shqeirat — received a $2,500 community service scholarship. She graduated from Paragon Science Academy in 2023. Shqeirat volunteered more than 110 hours in 2022.

• Sofia Ghosh — received a $2,500 community service scholarship. She graduated from Corona del Sol High School in 2023. Ghosh volunteered 120 hours in 2022.

• Robert Namor — received a $2,000 adult learner scholarship. He is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.