CSU Pueblo Foundation Announces Recipients of Kane and Gersick Foundation Scholarships
Release Date: May 20, 2020
PUEBLO – Colorado State University Pueblo has announced the names of seven local students who will receive prominent, full-ride scholarships through the CSU Pueblo Foundation. Six of these high-achieving students will receive the Kane Family Foundation Scholarship and one the Jennie and Albert Gersick Foundation Scholarship.
The scholars were selected based on their high school academic record, merit, written essays, and a competitive interview process. The scholarships cover the recipients’ tuition, book expenses, and mandatory fees in pursuit of a four-year bachelor’s degree.
The 2020 CSU Pueblo Kane Family Foundation Scholars are Tara Butler (Pueblo County), Katherine Stangier (Pueblo County), Hanna Suazo (Pueblo East), Jacelynn Trujillo (Pueblo County), Cameron Valdez (Pueblo East) and Makenzie Webster (Pueblo West). A reception and unveiling of the Kane Family Foundation Gardens is planned for Fall 2020 Convocation week.
Tara Butler, Pueblo County, plans to major in psychology while at CSU Pueblo in preparation for a career in forensic psychology. She will graduate with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.24 and received an academic letter all four years of high school. Tara was involved in National Honor Society (vice-president 2018 & 2019; president 2019 & 2020), DECA. The Societᾲ Onoraria Italica and was a DECA state and national qualifier. She was a varsity student-athlete and received varsity letters in golf and cheerleading. As a student-athlete, she was a Universal Cheerleading Association “All American Cheerleader” and received an Academic All State First Team Award in golf and cheerleading in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Katherine Stangier, Pueblo County, plans to major civil engineering technology at CSU Pueblo after graduating from the School for Engineering and Biomedical Science (SEBS) with a 3.67 cumulative GPA. While attending SEBS, she focused her learning on civil, mechanical, electrical and architectural engineering, and has professional aspirations of becoming an engineer. Katherine’s awards, recognition and activities include honor roll, student council, Technology Student Association Organization (state winner), 4.0 letterman, leadership letterman, girls tennis and concert/marching band.
Hannah Suazo, Pueblo East, will major in early childhood education while at CSU Pueblo with plans to be a teacher. Hannah aspires to make a difference in the lives of Pueblo’s students and inspire the next generation of leaders. She will graduate with a 4.14 cumulative GPA. Hannah participated in marching and pep band, National Honors Society, MEChA, student council and Health Academy Student Government. She lettered in academics, band and student council.
Jacelynn Trujillo, Pueblo County, plans to major in business while at CSU Pueblo. She will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 4.57. Jacelynn participated in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Spanish club, varsity softball, student council, Youth Advisory Council, Communities that Care and Fire Explorers. Her awards and recognition include four-time Academic All State First Team, All Conference First and Second and Honorable Mention Team (softball), Southern Colorado League First Team (softball), HOSA State Finalist and Fire Explorer Program graduate. Jacelynn’s community involvement awards include Dare to Dream grant award winner, Young Leader award and youth advisor for Communities that Care.
Cameron Valdez, Pueblo East, will graduate from high school with a 4.78 cumulative GPA. Cameron plans to major in engineering (mechatronics) at CSU Pueblo in order to gain the skills to improve the world through a career in engineering. Cameron participated in MEChA, National Honor Society, Pueblo Rotary Club, Newman Club and baseball. He was a junior escort and received an academic letter (four years).
Makenzie Webster, Pueblo West, will graduate high school with a 4.44 cumulative GPA. Makenzie plans to major in health science (pre-athletic training) at CSU Pueblo. After graduation, Makenzie has aspirations of becoming an athletic trainer for a professional hockey or softball team. She participated in National Honor Society and Junior ROTC (2019 Company Commander of the Year). As a student-athlete (softball), Makenzie was All-League First Team and Best of Pueblo award winner. Makenzie works for Catholic Charities (Diocese of Pueblo) as a child caretaker.
The 2020 CSU Pueblo Jennie and Albert Gersick Foundation scholar is Makayla Compton (Pueblo County).
Makayla Compton, Pueblo County, plans to major in nursing with a minor in Spanish at CSU Pueblo and has aspirations of becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics. She will graduate from the School of Engineering and Biomedical Sciences (SEBS) with a cumulative GPA of 4.55 (four-year Principal’s Honor Roll recipient). Makayla participated in DECA (State Qualifier), HOSA (State, National Qualifier and National Finalist), speech and debate, girl’s swim and dive, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society and was a Parkview Medical Center volunteer.
