Nevada Women’s Fund scholarship recipients from Elko County line up at the Elko Conference Center on Oct. 9, 2025. GBC President Amber Donnelli is at top right and Ila Friedenthal from Nevada Women’s Fund is at bottom right. Some recipients were unavailable for the event.
ELKO — Nineteen Elko County college students received scholarships from the Nevada Women’s Fund at an event Thursday “Celebrating Achievement” at the Elko Conference Center.
The students’ academic goals included subjects such as nursing, radiology, sonography, mental health, paramedicine, elementary education and family studies.
Dania Avila, radiological technology
Paola Avila Sandoval, nursing
Desirae Brunick, human services
Miranda Casas, nursing
Jennifer Covarrubias Enriquez, diagnostic medical sonography
Yesenia Diaz, nursing
Bridgette Gilboy, clinical mental health
Kiana Green, nursing
Leslie Hernandez, human resources
Kelly Kleeb, paramedicine
Emily Lisabelle, nursing
Giselle Marin-Castaneda, biology
Kayla May, elementary education
Jerilyn Ogden, nursing
Janahit Ojeda Morales, radiological technology
Jessica Sagers, human development and family services
Holly Schoening, nursing
Danielle Simms, diagnostic medical sonography
Ryan Vallejo, education counseling
Great Basin College President Amber Donnelli spoke at the event, stating, “We’re celebrating some of the nursing students here tonight who are graduating from the number one nursing program in the state of Nevada, 10 years running.”
“Our radiology students, who we are also celebrating here tonight, just finished 100% pass rate,” she added.
“Obviously, we have a lot of women in our programs — but that means that there are a lot of sacrifices, sometimes to their families. It means late nights, sometimes putting kids to bed, doing homework late, getting up early. Some of them travel, go to clinical early, go do apprenticeships early, so it’s a real struggle. One of the things that the scholarships do for these students is lighten that burden. It makes it easier for them to attend college and be successful,” Donnelli said.
Ryan Vallejo talks about raising her family, losing her husband and returning to college at the Nevada Women’s Fund “Celebrating Achievement” event, Oct. 9, 2025.
In all, 149 Northern Nevada scholarship recipients were awarded a total of $525,000 from Nevada Women’s Fund, the organization said.
Ryan Vallejo, a scholarship recipient for educational counseling, shared how her scholarship helped her realize a dream “over 25 years in the making.”
“I grew up on a ranch in Northern Nevada, where the values of hard work, family and community were woven into every part of life. After graduating from Wells High School in 1996, I left for college, ready to pursue a degree in social work. But like so many, life had other plans. I started working, started a family and school took a backseat. Years later, after living in different parts of the West, I returned home to Wells to raise my three children,” she said.
“I began working at our local school, Wells Combined School, and what started as a job quickly turned into a calling. For the past 18 years, I’ve been there in the hallways, the classrooms and, most importantly, by the sides of our students, advocating for them, supporting them and helping them believe in themselves,” Vallejo said.
“When my husband passed away unexpectedly, I was faced with the moment of reckoning. I had to become the sole provider for my family — and more than that — I had to be an example for my children. That’s when I returned to school. I first earned my bachelor’s degree in social work and now my master’s in education and school counseling,” she explained.
“I’ve worked full-time, raised children, juggled volunteer work and studied late into the night. I still have my 16-year-old daughter along with her best friend, my bonus daughter, at home while my two sons are navigating the challenges and joys of young adulthood. I am proud to say we are a household of learners pushing forward together. As I walked across the stage at University of Nevada, Reno, receiving my bachelor’s degree, hearing my children and family cheer very loudly from the crowd, I realized how truly special that moment was for all of us,” Vallejo explained.
“This scholarship doesn’t just ease a financial burden, it brings me one step closer to the career I’ve worked so hard for. My goal is simple but deeply meaningful, to become the school counselor at Wells High School, the very school that raised me, the school I now serve and the school that has welcomed me in my new role. I’m already working in the counseling department. I’ve taken on those responsibilities unofficially for years, but this degree will allow me to do it fully, professionally and permanently and I won’t stop there.
“I’ll continue to serve my community through the Hope Squad, where I teach suicide prevention and through the Boys & Girls Club of Wells, where I proudly served on the board for eight years,” she explained. “In small towns like mine, we rely on each other,” she said.
“Your investment in women like me is not just changing lives, it’s changing communities,” she said.
Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
Reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
School trustees get first look at Owyhee school construction.
BrainPOP features animated videos, quizzes, leveled readings and interactive activities and it makes complex concepts understandable and engag…
On Friday, Homecoming festivities begin with a parade, starting at 11 a.m. along Spring Creek Parkway to the Spring Creek Marina with floats f…
Volunteers from Kinross Nevada, Komatsu, Home Depot and Ruby Rose Garden Landscape and Tree Service worked on projects at Mound Valley School …
Nevada Women’s Fund scholarship recipients from Elko County line up at the Elko Conference Center on Oct. 9, 2025. GBC President Amber Donnelli is at top right and Ila Friedenthal from Nevada Women’s Fund is at bottom right. Some recipients were unavailable for the event.
Ryan Vallejo talks about raising her family, losing her husband and returning to college at the Nevada Women’s Fund “Celebrating Achievement” event, Oct. 9, 2025.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Account processing issue – the email address may already exist
Sign up with
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Sign in with
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.