Class of 2018
Valeria Campuzano, University of Arizona
Valeria plans to pursue a career in medicine. She has volunteered in various organizations in the community, including Villa Maria, and the Boys and Girls Club. On a trip to Mexico, Valeria was inspired by a small boy to assist his family in need. She bought them shoes with her allowance, gathered donations of clothes and food, and delivered everything to the family. She motivated her own family to make this giving a tradition. She hopes to one day become a doctor and work with Doctors Without Borders
Alysanna Casteneda, University of Arizona
Alysana is majoring in business administration. Alysana’s cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia at a young age. Motivated by her cousin's journey, Alysana became involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and a local nonprofit, Integrative Touch for Kids. She has helped raise more than $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and was recognized as the Society's Student of the Year for 2017.
Grace Dalrymple
Grace has applied to multiple universities and hopes to attend either the University of California Los Angeles or New York University. She hasn’t selected a major, but is interested in a career in law helping sexual assault victims. Grace volunteers throughout the community and with the Andra Heart Foundation, a nonprofit founded in memory of her sister, who died from cardiac arrest. They work to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, have sponsored more than 4,000 ECGs for student athletes and provide community support.
Dallas Green,
University of Arizona
Dallas plans to major in Geology. Despite his own hardships, Dallas embodies “taking care of others.” He started volunteering in elementary school through the “Kids Helping Kids” program, then later was part of the Christina Taylor Green Memorial Foundation. He has also volunteered with Team Up for Tucson and numerous other organizations.
Moriah Irving,
Scripps College (Claremont, CA)
Moriah will major in Neuroscience and Political Science. Impacted by a family tragedy, Moriah volunteers as a peer counselor at Teen Lifeline. The suicide hotline for teens, where calls are answered by other teens, offers a unique opportunity for teens in crisis to speak with a peer. In her studies, Moriah plans to focus on both the science and policy surrounding mental health and hopes to increase understanding about mental health.
Jella Tatil, Colby College
(Waterville, ME)
Jella will major in Biology. Jella and her family immigrated to the United States from the Philippines when she was 9, and she experienced first-hand the importance of a community that helps in times of need. As an immigrant, Jella was concerned with the lack of assistance for first generation college-bound youth. So, with the help of Las Lagunas de Anza Ambassadors, she created a “What’s Next?” workshop to provide information and assistance.