Yolanda Perez
Yuma Catholic High School
Grade: 12th 
GPA: 3.9 (unweighted) / 4.6 (weighted)
A little about me: I see myself becoming a pharmacist and working with people to help the well-being of my community. I have always been interested in the medical field, but I am also surrounded by family members that have all motivated me to go into the business field, which is something I can also see myself doing in the future. I want to follow my instinct and follow the path that makes me happy, which is to help others. A career in pharmacy seems the most fitting for me. I hope to receive a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and continue on in getting a doctorate in Pharmacy.  I would like to attend the University of Arizona this coming fall.

I am hardworking, responsible, and highly motivated.  I try to be the best I can be, by pouring myself into all that I do. I constantly keep myself involved in and outside school. My activities, which include student council, National Honor Society, cross country and working as a lifeguard, have taught me about leadership, organization, and time management. These are all skills that I plan to use in college and in my adult life.

I am a member of the National Honor Society, which has been a privilege because we are considered to be role models to other students in our school.  I am currently President and it has been a lot of responsibility to juggle school work, sports and clubs! This leadership role has had an impact on me because it has taught me how to manage time and other responsibilities accordingly. It has made me more responsible and attentive because I am in charge of a group of people and how we will provide service to our community. 

Scholarships and my education: The Arizona Leadership Foundation scholarship has greatly affected my ability to stay at Yuma Catholic High School for these past four years - I am immensely grateful for the opportunity this scholarship has allowed me, and to be a part of the Yuma Catholic High School family. Not only has Yuma Catholic High School benefited me academically, but spiritually and socially as well. The scholarship has helped my family by easing the stress that comes with having to pay for tuition at a private high school.

The Arizona Leadership Foundation proudly provides scholarship assistance to private schools and Lexie’s Law schools throughout Arizona with no preference to religious or political affiliation. We believe parents should have a choice when it comes to the education of their children! The Arizona Leadership Foundation is able to offer scholarships through Arizona’s Corporate Income Tuition Tax Credit (CTC) Scholarship Program and the Disabled/Displaced Corporate Income Tax Credit Program. These Arizona programs are education plans designed to help low-income families and families with disabled/displaced children obtain the best education for their children.

Yuma Catholic High School has small class sizes, a 100% college acceptance rate, a strong scholar athlete program, religious education and dual enrollment classes that count towards college credit from Arizona Western College.  The faculty and staff at Yuma Catholic maintain a learning environment that fosters the development of morally responsible leaders who volunteer to serve many local organizations.  

A school tuition organization cannot award, restrict or remove scholarships solely on the basis of donor recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent.