The City of Brighton Employee Charities (BEC) has selected four recipients for scholarships for 2022. The winners will each receive $1,000 toward their college expenses. The scholarships are awarded to the recipients based on a high emphasis of community service and academics. This year’s recipients are Andrea Donlucas, Michael John Garcia Jr., Celeste Tari and Arleth Villalobos.
Andrea Donlucas, a senior from Brighton High School, plans to attend Colorado State University beginning this fall where she will pursue a career in social work. Andrea has been active on the Brighton Youth Commission and is part of BHS Student Government and the BHS Drama program. She also mentors younger students and gives one hundred percent into everything she does.
In her essay application, Andrea said, “Positive community service is done with compassion and care.Community Service is something everyone should do and gives people the perspective of the difference they can make.”
Michael John Garcia Jr., a senior from Eagle Ridge Academy, has been accepted to the Colorado School of Mines and will major in electrical engineering. Michael has been involved in baseball, LULAC and Boy Scouts. In Boy Scouts, he reached the highest rank to become an Eagle Scout by developing training aids for the K-9 unit for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department.
In his essay, Michael quoted Nelson Mandela, saying “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” Michael went on to say, “Doing what I can to help others and my community is very important to me because I believe we all influence everything around us one way or another, and I am trying to do what I can to make that a good thing.”
Celeste Tari, a senior at Brighton High School, has plans to attend Colorado State University in the fall in the zoology program. Celeste has been a part of the National Honor Society, president of the Technology Students Association and vice president of the Future Farmers of America Chapter. She has volunteered many hours at the Lifeline Puppy Rescue.
In her essay, Celeste stated, “What we can give back to help others is what speaks volumes about the people we are and the city we wish to be. Serving your community allows for individuals to grow as people, as we gain empathy and understanding of what it is to be part of something larger than ourselves. It allows for us to serve our fellow man and animals, to let others know that we are all deserving of respect and dignity, no matter what our personal situations.”
Arleth Villalobos, a senior at Eagle Ridge Academy, will be attending the University of Colorado Denver in the fall to study criminal justice. Arleth has been working at the Colorado Credit Union and is admired for her good work ethic.
Arleth stated in her essay, “Positive community service provides a great experience for not only myself but for the community. Having a positive attitude towards the service can create relationships within the community that makes it memorable. Positive community service comes down to some core values like being there for your community, doing it at your own will and approaching the opportunity with a positive attitude.”
About Brighton Employee Charities
The City of Brighton Employee Charities (BEC) receives its funding from City employee contributions and community partner donations. Through this support, BEC has been providing scholarships, coats, food and gifts to Brighton families and children in need for several years.