CHEYENNE — Recipients of this year’s Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (HOPE) Scholarships were recognized during an Aug. 2 awards ceremony.
The organization focuses on the educational success of Hispanic and Latino students at all grade levels. The scholarships are provided to Hispanic and Latino students in an effort to support them as they pursue the training and education necessary to pursue and achieve their ambitions, according to the HOPE website.
The organization’s mission is “making a positive difference for a brighter future.”
This year’s HOPE scholarship recipients are working toward being welders, accountants, lawyers and nurses. Some will be the first in their family to attend college.
Each student below received a HOPE scholarship, and several also received memorial scholarships, as noted.
Casias is a continuing student at Laramie County Community College, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She balances her demanding academic schedule with a full-time job at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.
A compassionate and academically dedicated young woman, Casias also actively volunteers at her church. She also received the Richard Montoya Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from Cheyenne’s Central High School, Chavez plans on attending the University of Wyoming in the fall. She plans to study political science, with the goal of attending law school to be a family law attorney.
Feeling blessed and excited to continue her education, Chavez loves music, art, nature and her faith. Chavez also received the Joe & Viola Sanchez Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from Burns Junior/Senior High School, Chavez plans on attending LCCC to pursue his welding degree.
In high school, he participated in basketball and enjoys being outdoors. His father is his role model. He taught Chavez to put school first and give his all, no matter how hard life gets.
After graduating from Cheyenne’s South High School, Ferman-Rodriguez plans to attend LCCC and earn her associate’s degree in nursing. She then plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming to get her bachelor of science in nursing.
In high school, she participated in the Lit for Life book club, and took several Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses.
She hopes to become a psychiatric nurse, making a meaningful impact on mental health care. She also hopes to be the first in her family to graduate from college
After graduating from Cheyenne’s East High School, Florita plans on attending the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs to pursue a degree in exercise science.
In high school, she was a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate program and played varsity soccer.
Florita plans on completing the chiropractic program, with aspirations to become a sports chiropractor, helping athletes stay strong and healthy to achieve peak performance.
After graduating from South High School, Fuentes plans on attending LCCC to pursue further education in financial accounting. Following her time at LCCC, she plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming to earn her bachelor’s degree.
Fuentes wants to be the first in her family to attend and graduate college. She also received the Dr. Margaret Zamudio Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from East High School, Gonzales plans on attending LCCC to study law and become a paralegal.
She discovered her passion for law after attending American Legion Auxiliary Wyoming Girls State in 2024. Further inspired by her mother’s example, Gonzales is a driven, dedicated, leader who hopes to help others.
Gonzales also received the Luis Gregorio Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from East High School, Jackson plans to attend the University of Wyoming to major in business economics. In high school, he was involved in track, basketball and the East High G-Team, and was on the honor roll all four years. He also took dual enrollment classes.
Jackson looks forward to furthering his academic growth, with the goal of making his family proud. Jackson also received the Ralph Redman Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from East High School with IB honors, Moreno plans to attend LCCC, playing soccer and majoring in sonography.
In high school, Moreno was in Advanced Placement, concurrent and dual enrollment classes. She was also captain of the soccer team for 2024-25, and earned All-Conference and All-State honors.
Her goal is to be the first in her family to graduate college and be an OB-GYN sonographer. Moreno also received the Mariano & Mary Ann Fonseca Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from East High School, Navarrete plans to attend LCCC and major in criminal justice. After LCCC, she plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming and become an immigration lawyer.
In high school, Navarrete was involved in speech and debate, student council and mock trial. She wants to be the first college graduate in her family, and also hopes to set an example for the future generations. Navarette also received the Martin Esquibel Memorial Scholarship.
After graduating from Pine Bluffs High School, Olivas is planning to attend LCCC to study information technology. Olivas enjoys working on computers, playing video games and working on cars. He hopes to become the first generation in his family to get a college education.
While attending East High School, Perea played and lettered in basketball four years in a row. Prea was also accepted into the National Honor Society.
After graduation, Perea plans to attend Ripon College to study engineering and continue to play the sport she loves. She aspires to be a mechanical engineer.
While attending Burns Junior/Senior High School, Sanchez was involved in 4-H, FFA, Science Olympiad and was the manager of the wrestling team for five years. After graduating, Sanchez plans to attend Fort Scott Community College to continue her livestock judging career and major in agriculture business.
After that, she hopes to transfer to Colorado State University to get a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. Sanchez dreams of starting her own livestock therapy program.
After graduating from Burns Junior/Senior High School, Sanchez plans to attend Seward County Community College. Sanchez spent his whole life on an agricultural operation.
He hopes to use his work ethic and real-world experience to make a difference for his community. Sanchez also received the Steve Lucero Memorial Scholarship.
Sanchez is a continuing student at LCCC majoring in business and accounting. She intends to continue her studies at the University of Wyoming to obtain a degree in accounting.
She enjoys spending time with her dog, reading and being outdoors.
Sanchez was in FCCLA, for which she was a letter recipient and was a national FCCLA qualifier. She is now putting those skills into working as a front office assistant at Trophy Creative and working in her family’s food truck.
Verduzco is a continuing student attending LCCC; she is in her third semester of the Bachelor’s in Applied Management program and will graduate next summer.
Verduzco balances academics with three jobs and is a first-generation college student. She hopes to be an inspiration to her younger brothers and to other Hispanic people.
Verduzco also received the Vialquin & Loyola Valdez Memorial Scholarship.
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Ivy Secrest is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s criminal justice/public safety reporter. She can be reached at 307-631-2709 or isecrest@wyomingnews.com.
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