These scholarships are just one way we invest in people who are working hard to better their lives, families and communities.”

Jeff Meshey | Desert Financial Foundation vice chair

Desert Financial Foundation has awarded $198,000 in scholarships to 62 Arizona students, including four Surprise students.

Andrew Clough, Jazmin Preciado, Makenzie Henige and Tristan S. Germain earned scholarships between $3,000 and $5,000.

Clough, a Highland Prep High School graduate who will be attending University of Arizona in the fall, received a $5,000 Community Service Scholarship. He volunteered 350 hours of his time at Billy’s Place, a nonprofit organization that provides comfort to children experiencing grief, as a facilitator and co-facilitator of support groups for children ages 4 to 12.

Clough lost his own father to a blood clot in 2011, and he said Billy’s Place helped him process his own grief as a child.

Preciado, a Valley Vista High School graduate, received a $3,000 Community Service Scholarship and will attend UA in the fall.

Henige, a Willow Canyon High School graduate, earned a $3,000 Community Service Scholarship and plans to attend Arizona State University in the fall.

Tristan S. Germain of Surprise received a $5,000 Community Service Scholarship. The Shadow Ridge High School senior will attend ASU in the fall.

The students were celebrated at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix for their commitment to volunteerism, determination to continue their education and dedication to building better futures.

Nearly 200 Arizona students applied for the scholarship program. It includes community service scholarships for high school seniors who volunteer in their communities, adult learners scholarships for adults ages 25 or older who are pursuing certificates or degrees and Passion to Help Scholarships for dependents of Desert Financial team members who give back to their communities through volunteerism.

Since launching the scholarship program in 2015, Desert Financial Foundation has awarded more than $1.7 million to deserving students who are furthering their education to build brighter futures.

“We believe education is a powerful tool for improving financial wellness,” said Jeff Meshey, Desert Financial Foundation vice-chair. “These scholarships are just one way we invest in people who are working hard to better their lives, families and communities.”

Twenty-six high school seniors were awarded a total of $84,000 in Community Service Scholarships. Each student completed at least 50 hours of community service in 2024, maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need and is enrolled in an Arizona college or university for the fall.

“My experience volunteering has made me a more empathetic, creative, and attentive person, something which will carry over to all aspects of my future,” Clough said. “I enjoy working with the younger kids the most as they are incredibly full of energy.”

The 2025 Community Service Scholarship recipients completed more than 4,500 hours of volunteer service last year.

Thirty adults received a combined $96,000 in Adult Learners Scholarships to support their pursuit of higher education.

Each recipient is at least 25 years old and currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited Arizona college, university or certification program for the 2025-2026 school year.

“As a husband to my beautiful wife, father of two, and an aspiring engineer, I am on a journey toward earning an education that will benefit my family, my community, and my future engineering opportunities,” said Francisco Lagarda Duarte who is studying mechanical engineering. “I know that it is going to take hard work and dedication, but I am excited to take the journey to gain the experience and knowledge to make transportation safe.”

Desert Financial Foundation also awarded six Passion to Help Scholarships, totaling $18,000. The $3,000 scholarship is offered to dependents of Desert Financial Credit Union, SwitchThink Solutions and Desert Financial Wealth Management employees who volunteered 50 or more hours in 2024, are graduating high school or currently enrolled in college, and are attending an accredited Arizona institution.

Visit DesertFinancial.com/Scholarships.