From left, the 2022 Alpine Bank First Generation Scholars, from left, Oscar Galdamez (Coal Ridge High School), Juan Camilo Betancourt Moncada (Glenwood Springs High School), Aaron Galehr (Battle Mountain High School), Bella Brundage (Eagle Valley High School), Angela Martinez (Roaring Fork High School), Alpine Bank President Glen Jammaron, Jaczelt Lozano (Basalt High School), Yedani Mendoza Gurrola (Steamboat Springs High School), Jessica Navarro (Rifle High School), Kylee Walker (Grand Valley High School), Marilyn Soriano Alvarado (Aspen High School), Kassandra Karas (Red Canyon High School) and Jeovanny Sorto (Basalt High School). Not pictured: Brayan Tapia Hernandez (Summit High School), Daisy Castillo (Summit High School), Marco Ruiz (Glenwood Springs High School), Fatima Landa (Glenwood Springs High School). Photo by Evan Witt
The 2022 Alpine Bank First Generation Scholars begin college this fall
Sixteen Colorado Mountain College students are starting classes this fall with a $2,500 boost thanks to Alpine Bank and the CMC Foundation. The students are recipients of the 2022 Alpine Bank First Generation Scholarship, a 26-year annual tradition that delivers on a promise to provide deserving local graduating high school students access to college, no matter the financial barriers that may be blocking the way.
Originally called the Latino/Hispanic Scholarship, in 2021 it was renamed the Alpine Bank First Generation Scholarship to expand higher education opportunities to an even wider range of students.
Under the philanthropic direction of Alpine Bank Chairman Bob Young, the bank and the college continue to make these scholarships a reality. In each Colorado community with both an Alpine Bank branch and a Colorado Mountain College campus, qualifying seniors from applicable high schools who are the first in their families to attend college may apply to receive these financial awards.
“At Alpine Bank we want to help first generation students from our community to be able to attend college and get started with their dream career,” said Susana Salamun, vice president of community inclusion for Alpine Bank. “Our mission is to support students who will be first in their families to graduate college to attain the skills and education they need for that bright and successful future they envision.”
The Alpine Bank First Generation Scholarship provides each student a $2,500 renewable scholarship. Each scholarship provides a total of two years’ financial support toward the cost of tuition, books and fees. Since 1996, over 250 deserving students have benefitted from these scholarships.
“Through the decades of Colorado Mountain College’s partnership with Alpine Bank, these scholarship recipients have come to know that Alpine Bank is synonymous with opportunity,” said Kristin Heath Colon, CMC vice president for advancement and foundation CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome this new class of Alpine Bank First Generation Scholars and can’t wait to see them learn – and succeed – at Colorado Mountain College.”