Aurora Public Schools

Eleven students from the Class of 2012 can breathe a little easier when thinking about paying for college.  These students have earned the Daniels Fund Scholarship. The Daniels Fund selects high school seniors who have demonstrated strong character and a determination to succeed in life. The scholarship covers all required tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and a variety of other miscellaneous expenses.

Two of these seniors have earned a prestigious honor only few can attain. Aurora Central students Shiva Sapkota and Tsion Shiferaw earned both Daniels Fund and Gates Millennium scholarships.

The Gates Millennium Scholarship recognizes students with outstanding academic performance. It covers unmet financial need to attend any college or university.

Winning both financial awards is no easy task, and these two amazing students understand the significance of that accomplishment.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Sapkota said. “I am really proud that my dreams of going to college and helping my community are finally coming true.”

Shiferaw is also thrilled to be in this position, knowing she has no limits to what she pursues.

“It’s so surreal for me just knowing that my education is covered. It means a lot to me,” Shiferaw said.

Sapkota and Shiferaw plan to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in pre-med and mechanical engineering, respectively.

Sapkota, who came to the United States four years ago from a refugee camp, credited the staff at Aurora Central for helping him get to this point.

“It’s all because of Aurora Public Schools and Aurora Central…thank you so much for everything.”

In addition to Sapkota and Shiferaw, Aurora Central senior Ivonne Ramirez is also a Gates Scholar this year.

Each year, Gates selects 1,000 talented students to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. The program provides students with personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college careers.

Congratulations to the following 2011-12 Daniels Fund Scholars:

Aurora Central
Shiva Sapkota
Tsion Shiferaw
Joseph Soto
Mayra Lizeth Coronado Garcia
Kevin Dominguez

Gateway
David Duarte-Corado

Hinkley
Joseph Little Bird
Matthew McBride
Magnolia Landa-Posas
Dondre Smallwood

Rangeview
Casey Giles

For more APS scholarship news, click here.

Comments are closed.