Four PCC students selected to receive Kane Family Foundation scholarships

PUEBLO – Pueblo Community College’s strong pathway partnership with four-year schools continues to pay huge dividends for outstanding students. PCC has been notified of the awarding of Kane Family Scholar – University Connection Program scholarships to four local scholars.

The recipients chosen by the PCC Foundation Scholarship Committee are Demmi Berry, Jesse Valdez, Shyla Briese and Shanae Garner. Berry and Valdez will attend PCC and transfer to Colorado State University-Pueblo, while Briese and Garner will start at PCC before transferring to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The students were selected on the basis of their academic record, a formal application with essay, and an interview. Their scholarships will cover the full cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees and required books needed to earn both an associate’s degree at PCC and a bachelor’s degree at their respective university.

“The Kane Family Foundation and its Board of Trustees are incredible champions of student success and demonstrate such, over and over again, with their continued investment in students from throughout Southern Colorado. I speak for our students when I say Pueblo Community College is humbled to be the benefactors of their generosity,” explained PCC President Dr. Patty Erjavec.

Demmi Berry graduated in 2015 from Pueblo West High School where she was a four-year member and two-year officer of DECA as well as a four-year member of Future Business Leaders of America. She won Superior Distinction from the National Speech and Debate Association. Since the premature birth of her brother, Demmi set a goal of being a nurse. She transitioned into the health care field by working at a local assisted living care facility and earned three separate health care certifications. Demmi expects her foundation of hard work, dedication, balance and direction to help her be successful.

Jesse Valdez is from Pueblo, graduated from Pueblo West High School in 2013 and currently is a math tutor at PCC. Since childhood, Jesse has enjoyed building structures to hold and move water with sand and Legos. He continues to be fascinated with the control of water. While at PCC, he will study to obtain an Associate of Science transfer degree and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from CSU-Pueblo. “I want to make a difference in the community because it has helped me become who I am today,” he stated. Jesse plays eight stringed instruments and admires Nikola Tesla for his work ethic and constant experimentation.

Shyla Briese is from Moab, Utah, and a first-generation college student. She plans to obtain an associate’s degree in Nursing from PCC and transfer to UCCS to achieve a BSN. Future goals include earning a Nurse Practitioner doctorate and midwife certification. Shyla calls her family her biggest motivator when it comes to education. She loves everything about being outdoors and enjoys hiking, exercising and living healthy.

Shanae Garner is from Pueblo and graduated from South High School in 2011. Since then, she found a passion for teaching and has been employed in the field of Early Childhood Education. At PCC, she will receive an Associate of Science degree and transfer to UCCS to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a teaching license. Her career goal is to become a passionate math teacher and help students enjoy learning math. Future goals include opening a math and science tutoring center in Pueblo. Shanae states, “To me, there is no greater sight than a confident student.” She loves reading, outdoors and the Colorado Rockies, and has five brothers.

The Kane Family Foundation scholarships are intended to reward students for both merit and hard work. They were established for state universities in 2006 and for state community colleges in 2008.

Wanden and Andy Kane were Fountain, Colorado, ranchers who shared an appreciation for learning and believed in the independence that it could provide. Their vision was to help others, and their foundation allows their vision to continue by helping Colorado residents achieve the dream of a college education.

For more information about the scholarship, contact the PCC Foundation at (719) 549-3314 or 549-3303.

Founded in 1933, Pueblo Community College is a premier teaching institution focused on providing academic and service excellence, without discrimination, to help its students acquire the 21^st Century skills needed to better their lives. An educational and technological leader, PCC fosters economic development and utilizes strong partnerships in the communities it serves through its Pueblo, Fremont and Southwest campuses.