Small school, big rewards: Ray Seniors earn over $250,000

  On Wednesday, May 16, 2025, Ray Jr/Sr High School’s Seniors were awarded multiple scholarships which would set them up for the 2025/2026 school year, accumulating over $250,000 between 13 students.

  Co-Valedictorian, James Ruiz, walked away with 14 different scholarships totaling $100,142 for the first year alone.   He received several from different universities including the Arizona State University (ASU) President Scholarship ($9,000 renewable for 4 years), a full scholarship to Northern Arizona University (NAU) ($11,688 renewable for 4 years), Southern Utah University Scholarship ($14,816 renewable for 4 years), Boise State University Scholarship ($15,680 renewable for 4 years), University of Idaho Scholarship ($17,858 renewable for 4 years), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ($24,000 renewable for 4 years). James is planning on attending Embry Riddle.

  Local scholarships he was awarded included the Wernett Family Scholarship ($1,000), Cesar Chavez Memorial Scholarship ($500), Dr. Norbert A. Ehrmann Memorial Scholarship ($1,100), Resolution Copper John Rickus Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Coppernet Systems, Inc. Academic Award ($1,000), Robin Coon Scholarship ($1,000), ASARCO Scholarship ($1,000) and the Carmen Bustamante Memorial Scholarship ($500.)

  Co-Valedictorian, Vanessa Bui, received 12 scholarships totaling $46,557 for the first year alone. She was also offered several opportunities from different universities including the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Scholarship ($19,550 renewable over 4 years) and the ASU President’s Scholarship ($9,000 renewable over 4 years.) Vanessa intends on attending Embry Riddle. She was also awarded the Embry Riddle Women of Excellence Scholarship ($5,000 renewable over 4 years), the Raise Me Up Scholarship ($3,057 renewable over 4 years), and the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($3,600 renewable over 4 years.)

  She was also awarded several local scholarships including the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship ($1,500), Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce Scholarship ($1,000), Kearny Women’s Club Scholarship ($1,000), National Honors Society Scholarship ($350), Robin Coon Scholarship ($1,000), ASARCO Scholarship ($1,000), and the American Southwest Credit Union Scholarship ($500).

  Salutatorian, Graciela “Gracie” Rivera, received 6 scholarships totaling $15,288. She received a full scholarship to NAU ($11,688 renewable over 4 years). She also received 5 local scholarships including the Copper Area Health Volunteer Scholarship ($1,000 renewable over 4 years), the Art Padilla Memorial Scholarship ($250), the National Honor Society Scholarship ($350), the Robin Coon Scholarship ($1,000), and the ASARCO Scholarship ($1,000).

  Christian Curiel received 9 scholarships in the amount of $16,800. He received the University of Arizona Wildcat Excellence Scholarship ($8,000 a year renewable over 4 years). He also received 8 local scholarships including the Copper Area Health Volunteers Scholarship ($1,000 a year renewable over 4 years), SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($3,600 a year renewable over 4 years), Edward M. and Obdulia M. Feldhake Memorial Scholarship ($700), Kearny Women’s Club Scholarship ($1,000), Wernett Family Scholarship ($1,000), American Southwest Credit Union Scholarship ($500), Carmen Bustamante Memorial Scholarship ($500), and the “Doing the Right Thing” Scholarship ($500).

  Jonathan Beede received 6 scholarships in the amount of $24,000. He received 2 scholarships from state universities including the University of Arizona’s Wildcat Distinction Scholarship ($11,000 a year renewable over 4 years) and ASU’s President’s Scholarship ($9,000 a year renewable over 4 years). He also received 4 local scholarships including the Robin Coon Scholarship ($1,000), ASARCO Scholarship ($1,000), Coppernet Systems, Inc. Academic Award ($1,000), and the Wernett Family Scholarship ($1,000).

  Mark Chester received 3 local scholarships in the amount of $4,500. He received the Resolution Copper Industrial Trades Scholarship ($3,000), the Robin Coon Scholarship ($1,000) and the ASARCO Scholarship ($500).

  Neveah Curiel was awarded 3 scholarships in the amount of $13,188. She received a full scholarship from NAU ($11,688 a year renewable over 4 years) as well as 2 local scholarships. She received the Coppernet Systems, Inc. Academic Award ($1,000) and a scholarship from ASARCO ($500).

  Ashton Kelley received 3 local scholarships in the amount of $3,800. He received the Kearny Women’s Club Scholarship ($1,000), the Wernett Family Scholarship ($1,000) and the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Scholarship ($1,800 a year renewable for 2 years).

  Twins, Analina and Isabella Montijo were both awarded 3 scholarships in the amount of $12,438 for the first year. They were each awarded full scholarships to NAU ($11,688 a year renewable over 4 years) as well as 2 local scholarships, the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce Scholarships ($250) and ASARCO Scholarships ($500).

  Jade Bentley received 2 scholarships totaling $3,000. She received the NAU Opportunity Scholarship ($2,500 a year, renewable over 4 years) and an ASARCO Scholarship ($500).

  Landree Scaggs received the Pinal County Federal Credit Union Scholarship for $500. Jhett Young received a scholarship from ASARCO in the amount of $500. Jordan Garcia also received a scholarship from ASARCO in the amount of $500. Analysia Nunez received a $1,000 scholarship from the Kearny Women’s Club.

  All these students worked hard to gain these well-deserved attributes. Thank you to all the individuals, families, companies, and organizations that provided these opportunities to local students.