Supporters of the Victoria Teresa Arias Memorial Foundation will raise funds for scholarships for local high school graduates at the Sixth Annual “A Night to Remember” Scholarship Gala Dinner and Dance to Honor the Life of Victoria Arias on Friday, June 21 at Casino Del Sol Grand Ballroom, 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Pictured left to right are 2024 Scholarship Recipients Allison Castillo, Seth Arroyo, Rene Sosa and Antonia Shean with Lorena and Mike Arias. For tickets or more information, visit https://victoriateresaariasmemorialfoundation.org.
Everyone who has ever dreamed of gifting — or receiving — a scholarship can bring that dream to fruition for themselves and for four local high school students by attending the Sixth Annual “A Night to Remember” Scholarship Gala Dinner and Dance to Honor the Life and Legacy of Victoria Arias.
The event is at 6 p.m. Friday, June 21 at the Casino Del Sol Grand Ballroom, 5655 W. Valencia Rd.
“I always say that it is not Lorena and myself who are awarding these scholarships: It is everyone in the community who has purchased a ticket, been a sponsor, donated an item for the silent auction, or played in our golf tournament. We want everyone to take pride and take ownership in giving these scholarships to students and making college possible for them. Without our community we could not have done this,” said Mike Arias, president of the Victoria Teresa Arias Memorial Foundation.
He and his wife, Lorena, created the foundation shortly after their daughter, Victoria, drowned while swimming laps in the family pool in 2017. An honors student who had earned a full-ride scholarship to St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, Victoria was about to embark on her dream to become a first-generation college graduate. In her honor, the Arias family decided to help other youth educate themselves, better themselves, be kind to others and most importantly, “Choose Happy” — a saying embraced by Victoria.
Since then, the foundation has gifted 24 high school seniors $228,000 in scholarship funds, including three $40,000 “Nueva Estrella” scholarships. The scholarships are offered to students from Desert View, Sunnyside, San Miguel, Cholla, Tucson and Pueblo high schools and students involved with Youth On Their Own.
“Victoria said that it was life-changing when she received her scholarship, and we have always wanted to give that life-changing feeling to these students and their families,” Mike Arias said.
He said that many of the recipients have shared that the scholarships make it possible for them to attend college.
“Before they found they were scholarship winners, they were having conversations with the schools they wanted to attend, but they didn’t have the financial means to do it, and now they can. It is very fulfilling,” Arias said.
That fulfillment is personified through the 2024 scholarship recipients — Antonia Shean from Pueblo High School, Rene Sosa from San Miguel High School, Seth Arroyo from Pueblo High School and Allison Castillo from Sunnyside High School.
“These kids have amazing stories. They have overcome obstacles and grown up with challenges and have shown such resilience, not only to graduate but to do well in school and to perform community service. We are excited to help then continue their education and create a ripple effect,” Arias said.
Contact freelance writer Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net
What: Sixth Annual “A Night to Remember” Scholarship Gala Dinner and Dance
When: 6 p.m. on Friday, June 21
Where: Casino Del Sol Grand Ballroom, 5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Cost: $85 per person; $850 for a table of ten
Festivities include a cocktail party and a performance by Mariachi Sonido followed by a three-course dinner and a silent auction featuring hotel and golf packages, original art by local artists, and many other gift baskets and prizes.
Go to http://tucne.ws/1q59 for tickets or more information.
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Supporters of the Victoria Teresa Arias Memorial Foundation will raise funds for scholarships for local high school graduates at the Sixth Annual “A Night to Remember” Scholarship Gala Dinner and Dance to Honor the Life of Victoria Arias on Friday, June 21 at Casino Del Sol Grand Ballroom, 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Pictured left to right are 2024 Scholarship Recipients Allison Castillo, Seth Arroyo, Rene Sosa and Antonia Shean with Lorena and Mike Arias. For tickets or more information, visit https://victoriateresaariasmemorialfoundation.org.
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