Araceli Lopez (L), Perla Mendez (C) and Jasmine Sanchez (R)
Provided by Marion ThatchSITD renamed our previous post-secondary Continuing Education Scholarship (CES) Program this Winter to the newly designed Career Advancement Scholarship (CAS) Award. Candidates must be Women who are at least 18 years old, have at least one year post high school and been accepted at an approved post-secondary educational program. Recognizing the economic challenges of living and working in the Truckee area, SITD expanded our reach to include California and Nevada residents living or working in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain communities, such as Truckee, Donner Summit, Sierraville, Loyalton, Graeagle, West Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe. A strong desire for candidates with a commitment to staying or returning to the Truckee area were given preference.
SITD’s successful fundraising in 2022 coupled with large grants received from the Martis Camp Foundation and Truckee Tahoe Airport Association enable us to award a total of $16,000 in scholarships to the following deserving recipients.
$5000 Career Advancement Scholarship (CAS) Awardees
- Malenie Corral has grown up in Truckee and currently works as a substitute Instructional Aide for Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD). While working she is completing a dual licensure and Bachelor degree in special education. In the future, Malanie envisions herself in a special education classroom working closely with her students, in particular those from Spanish speaking families so they feel supported by the schools. It is her absolute dream to teach in the same schools she attended.
- Sabrina Futral is currently working on completing a degree in nursing. She is employed as a Lead Patient Care Tech/Unit Clerk at Tahoe Forest Hospital (TFH) in Truckee and is currently seven months into a 22-month nursing program. Sabrina’s future plans are to be a nurse at the TFH.
$2000 Career Advancement Scholarship (CAS) Awardees
- Perla Mendez sought out a scholarship to further her goal of completing a degree in Psychology. She works as the front desk coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club in Truckee. Having had to deal with an abusive relationship, she is inspired to attend Sierra College to earn a degree in Psychology so that she is prepared for a career supporting women, children and families who have suffered from abusive situations.
- Mayra Plascencia is currently working as an Interpreter/translator/community liaison with TTUSD - Sierra High School, Truckee High School, and Truckee River School. Mayra’s career goal is to become a Spanish Teacher in Truckee.
$1000 Career Advancement Scholarship (CAS) Awardees
- Araceli Lopez works full-time as an Office Administrator for Dickson Realty while pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Sierra College. Aracili, a single mom raising a 13-year-old son, is steadfast in her desire to show her son that you can make something of yourself with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.
- Jasmine Sanchez, is seeking an Associate Degree in Public Health and Social Work from Truckee Meadows Community College. Jasmine works full time performing bookkeeping services for Western Nevada Supply. A former teen mom, who has suffered through a son's suicide, Jasmine demonstrates resiliency through her commitment to help others.
