Barstow, CA-The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced on February 24, 2022, that Barstow Community College student, Kamira Griego is a semifinalist for the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer scholarship. This year’s 440 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 applicants attending 180 community colleges in 35 states.
Since its inception, the Cooke Foundation has selected Transfer Scholars from over 337 community colleges and has awarded more than $54 million in transfer scholarships. While national college enrollments have been on the decline in the midst of the pandemic, recent National Student Clearinghouse data finds that transfers are on the rise among community college students who have stayed enrolled in the first year of the pandemic. For the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, this was a highly competitive year.
Kamira Griego, a native of Barstow, California, has attended Barstow Community College (BCC) since 2019, where she is studying Studio Arts. While awaiting acceptance into the art program at the University of California, Riverside, Kamira gives back to her community as a paraeducator, tutor, and assistant Coach for the flag team with the Barstow Unified School District, as well as an art instructor for the Desert Discovery Center.
Becoming a semi-finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship has helped Kamira to feel like her dreams can become a reality and that anything is possible. Initially applying for the scholarship at the suggestion of BCC Counselor, Dr. Eduardo Vasquez, Kamira did not think she would be selected. She now sees that applying has given her the confidence needed to believe that “no matter what, I CAN do this, and that there are resources available out there for individuals who are willing to work hard and believe in themselves.” If awarded, the Cooke scholarship looks to provide Kamira the opportunity to live near her undergraduate campus of choice, rather than commute and be away from her children.
The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $230 million in scholarships to nearly 3,000 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $120 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
For additional information please contact Amanda Simpson – Director of Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing, at 760-252-2411 ext. 7348 or by email at asimpson@barstow.edu.
