Dream Builders award college scholarships

This News By You article was submitted by Shannon Furey.

The Arizona Dream Builder Foundation, a newly established non-profit organization that raises funds to support the future leaders of Arizona, has named two Phoenix students and one from Glendale as its 2008 Dream Scholar recipients.

Vaughn Hillyard from Thunderbird High School, David Del-Toro Tellez from Ironwood High School in Glendale and Ambra Jordan from South Mountain High School will receive a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 each year for up to four years) to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university of their choice. All three were recognized for their academic achievements and outstanding contributions to their communities.

Hillyard, Tellez and Jordan were honored at a fundraising dinner at the Downtown Phoenix Hyatt on Saturday. More than 100 students in Arizona applied for the foundation's scholarship program in its inaugural year.

As 2008 Dream Scholars, Hillyard, Del-Toro Tellez and Jordan are seniors who surpassed the requirements for scholarship recognition. To be considered, each student met the criteria of: being enrolled as full-time students in an Arizona high school; maintaining a grade point average of 2.5 or higher; demonstrating a commitment through school and community leadership to the ideals of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; and providing letters of support that demonstrate their commitment to these ideals.

"As our country faces tough economic times, we feel now, more than ever, is the time to support education and provide Arizona youth with opportunities for internships, mentoring and scholarships," said Valerie Churchwell, founder and president of the Arizona Dream Builder Foundation.

Jesse Ary, the first African-American director of the Phoenix YMCA and a former member of the Arizona Board of Education, was recognized as the Dream Dinner's honorary guest. Ary had met King and stands behind the foundation's efforts to foster tenets such as non-violence, social justice and respect.

Third-grade gospel singer Marcus Wolf of Longview Elementary School in Phoenix sang at the dinner.

The foundation launched its next initiative, a high school internship program, at Saturday's dinner. Based on the belief that internships strengthen opportunities for success, the foundation program will provide high-school students opportunities for work experiences that might otherwise not be available. Application information for the summer 2009 Dream Intern Program will be made available on Jan. 15, on King's birthday. The deadline for applications will be March 20.

For more information on the Dream Intern Program, or to learn more about the Arizona Dream Builder Foundation, visit www.azdreambuilder.org or call 480-557-4734.

The Arizona Dream Builder Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization designed to support future leaders of Arizona. Directed by a 13-member board, the organization creates educational scholarships and growth opportunities for Arizona's youth. For more information on the foundation or to sponsor one of its programs, visit www.azdreambuilder.org or call 480-557-4734.