The seventh annual Dysart Education Foundation Scholarship Awards Dinner awarded $74,000 to 19 graduating high school seniors from the four Dysart Unified School District high schools with scholarships to obtain higher education in their chosen fields.

About 125 people attended the event, which was held at the Dysart Unified Support Services Facility.

Students received their scholarship certificates in the presence of their families, DUSD principals, counselors, administration, governing board, the community leaders and officers from Surprise and El Mirage and the donors of their scholarships.

SFE-Southwest Foodservice Excellence sponsored and catered the dinner. This ensures that 100% of the donations are awarded to students and recognizes the support of their families and administrators.

The support theme of the night centered around past high school alumni students: Bry Martinez (Shadow Ridge High School graduate), who opened the dinner singing the national anthem; Renee Rodriquez (Dysart High School graduate), the photographer for the evening; Keynote Speaker Grace Macior (Shadow Ridge High School graduate); kindergarten teacher at Western Peaks Elementary, city officials and guest graduates from Dysart High School. Current National Honor Society volunteers from Shadow Ridge High School, Kya Lynch and Iliana Trujillo, rounded out the extra evening.

The class of 2025 are pursuing studies in arts and sciences, writing, architecture, civil engineering, culinary arts, business management, aviation, nursing, criminology, music performance, law and public service, forensic sciences, aerospace engineering, IT security and pre-med.

The scholarship winners are as follows:

$25,000 Scholarship Award; Subaru Superstore of Surprise/DEF; $5,000 Scholarships:

• Dysart High School: Nyasia Mcgriff
• Shadow Ridge High School: Logan Ryan
• Valley Vista High School: Avery Slade
• Willow Canyon High School: Jose Cortez and Keaton Kovaly

$25,000 Alumni Scholarship Awards; $5,000 Scholarship:

• Dysart High School: Maryam Ayna and Mason Kirk
• Shadow Ridge High School: Madison Thibault
• Valley Vista High School: Calvin Timbrooks
• Willow Canyon High School: Maya Delgado

$10,000 Scholarship Award; SFE-Southwest Foodservice Excellence; $5,000 Scholarship

• Willow Canyon High School: Camden Brown
• Valley Vista High School: Isabella Marsh

$5,000 Scholarship Award; Randy Sterna Grand Opportunity

• Dysart High School: Juli Bredvig

$5,000 Scholarship Award; Tyrus Timbrooks Memorial; $2,500 Scholarship

• Dysart High School: Caleb Williams and Madilyn Cortez Pantaleon

$2,000 Scholarship Award; El Mirage Firefighters Charities

• Valley Vista High School: Gavin Barragan

$2,000 Scholarship Award; Surprise Public Safety; $500 Scholarship

• Dysart High School: Franklyna Fawundu
• Shadow Ridge High School: Logan Ryan
• Valley Vista High School: Kaylee Clark
• Willow Canyon High School: Nolan Castonguay

DEF is a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1985, whose sole purpose is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities in DUSD through fundraising. College scholarships are awarded to seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement and requesting financial assistance.

The doors are open for volunteers in fundraising, marketing, social media, events and operational support. Donations from businesses and individuals are always welcome. Visit the tab on its website at DysartEducationFoundation.org under Alumni, Friends and Donors for information.

Scholarships are available to apply in January through March 15 of the graduating school year.