Five BBCC students named Dell Scholars

MOSES LAKE — Five TRiO Upward Bound students have recently been awarded $20,000 scholarships through the Dell Scholars Program, according to a press release from Big Bend Community College.

Ishmael Lagunes-Ponce, Elizabeth Main, Maribel Ortega-Ramirez and Marcy Paxtian-Ramirez of Royal High School and Anna Gonzalez of Othello High School are five out of only 500 students selected nationwide, according to the release. In addition to the scholarship, all Dell Scholars will receive ongoing tutoring and support for academic, financial and emotional challenges; a laptop and textbook credits.

The Dell Scholars Program, run by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, is a scholarship and college-completion program that nurtures and empowers students on their path to a college degree. The program specifically recognizes students who have demonstrated grit, potential, and ambition and those who have overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of their education.

The program is in its 17th year, and to date, has supported nearly 5,000 students across the country. Eighty percent of Dell Scholars have graduated with their bachelor’s degree within six years, compared to only 20% for similar students, the press release said.