For Pueblo High School senior Ailyn Gamez, her dream of entering the health field got a bit closer thanks to help from the University of Arizona Health Sciences Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Arizona Health Opportunities Pathways to Excellence (AZ-HOPE).
Recently, AZ-HOPE awarded Gamez with a one-time $500 stipend to help support future expenses as she prepares for her college and healthcare career. The Pueblo senior is one of 10 high school students in Arizona, and one of four in Tucson, to have been awarded the stipend.
"It makes me proud knowing that I am capable of deserving this award and others that may come,” Gamez said. “After the completion of Med Start, I realized I could keep up with a demanding college schedule while being a high school student. I plan to use this scholarship towards my tuition, so I can continue on my path of becoming a pediatrician."
Gamez is one of 200 students at Pueblo currently enrolled in the College Preparatory Academy.
Dr. Teresa Toro, Pueblo counselor and College Preparatory Academy Coordinator, has seen the work Gamez has put in over the last three-plus years to achieve three specific goals: to qualify to be able to apply to as many scholarship and grant opportunities, be able to apply to prestigious colleges and universities nationwide and abroad, and be academically prepared to be successful at any post-secondary institution Gamez chooses to attend.
“Ailyn is now seeing first-hand how all of her hard work, tenacity, grit, dedication, consistency, excellence, and integrity are paying off,” Dr. Toro said. “The awards that students, like Ailyn, receive do not happen by chance; they require a clear plan; a road map, which the Academy provides for our high-achieving students who have high standards for themselves and have post-secondary goals. I am so proud of Ailyn and all the students, who are reaping the benefits in the form of internship experiences, scholarships, and getting accepted to one of their top college or university choices.”
