Communities In Schools of Nevada Announces 2023 Recipient of the
Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship
Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS), the fifth largest state office of the nation’s leading evidence-based stay-in-school organization serving 92 schools with regional offices in the Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe County school districts, has announced the 2023 recipient of the Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship. A four-year scholarship specifically for CIS case-managed high school seniors, the scholarship awards a student who has overcome significant obstacles and barriers to stay in school, achieve and earn a high school diploma. This year’s scholarship recipient and winner is Mazurin Dayana Perez, a recent graduating high school senior from Desert Pines High School.
Perez will be awarded up to a total of $10,000, paid in increments of up to $2,500 each year for over four years. She moved to the United States from Guatemala in April 2021 and besides her grandparents she had very little support, making her story of success even more remarkable. Perez plans to be an anesthesiologist or a lawyer one day.
“Thank you to Ms. Andrea and the rest of the Communities In Schools Team for this opportunity,” said Perez. “Attending college will help me narrow my interests and explore creative ways to help others. There is also a sense of pride in me to pursue higher education. I want to show others that I didn’t just stop after high school graduation. I am excited to pave the way for students like me and take advantage of this opportunity many don’t have the privilege of having. I am a first-generation immigrant woman who wants to share her customs and beliefs, occupy scholarly spaces, and one day give back to my community.”
CIS received nearly 40 applications for this year’s Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship. The application included a personal essay, in either English or Spanish, about how post-secondary school will contribute to the student’s academic and/or career goals and what drives them to pursue post-secondary education. Perez stated in her essay that pursuing post-secondary education is essential for her future career goals and the community she represents. She shared how representation matters, and she wants to be one of the first Guatemalan students to pursue and graduate with a college degree.
The scholarship, paid directly to the educational institution, is renewed yearly and can be used towards full-time enrollment in an accredited college, university, community college or trade school. Renewal and yearly payments are contingent on meeting scholastic requirements including a 2.0 GPA and continued academic progress demonstrated in transcripts that are provided every semester.
“We congratulate Mazurin for her desire to achieve, despite the significant barriers she faces,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and state director, Communities In Schools of Nevada. “Her story is incredibly inspirational, and we are confident Mazurin will continue to succeed as she embarks on the next chapter of her education.”
The Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship is made possible by Elaine Wynn, the founding chairperson and current national chairperson for Communities In Schools. For nearly two decades, she has been actively engaged with CIS National, the organization that serves 1.7 million children in more than 2,900 schools in 26 states, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. A member of the national board since 1999, Wynn was elected chairperson in 2007, a position she proudly holds today. An indomitable crusader for children’s welfare and an influential philanthropist, her commitment to improving children’s lives through education has engaged her in numerous leadership roles at local, state, and national levels. More about the Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship can be found at cisnevada.org/strongertogether.
CIS of Nevada currently operates in 92 high-needs schools across four rural and urban school districts throughout Nevada – nearly one in five Title I or high-needs schools. CIS places full-time and professionally trained site coordinators in schools across the state to support students who face barriers to their success—increasing the likelihood of students staying in school and graduating on time. The organization taps into a statewide network of more than 120 community nonprofits, partners and agencies, literally bringing the community into the school, to get students whatever they need to overcome the barriers they face that prevent them from achieving academically. From eyeglasses, dental care, health care and professional counseling, to food, school supplies, clothing and even housing, CIS identifies student needs and finds a way to address them, closing the gaps they experience in their everyday lives. CIS’ long-term vision is for every child enrolled in a Title I or high-needs school to have access to a CIS site coordinator and their evidence-based model of Integrated Student Supports, otherwise known as wraparound services. CIS of Nevada reached a remarkable graduation rate of 94% for case-managed graduation eligible students in the 2021 – 2022 school year.
About Communities In Schools of Nevada
Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS) is the nation’s leading evidence-based stay-in-school organization, serving 92 schools across the state. CIS believes every child has potential – regardless of race, zip code or socioeconomic background – but may lack equal opportunity to succeed. CIS places caring, well-trained, full-time employees, called site coordinators, in underserved schools to build trusting relationships with students and families, assess their needs and remove the barriers they face to learn and graduate. CIS taps into a network of more than 120 agencies and nonprofits to meet student needs – literally bringing the community into the schools it serves. As a result, CIS breaks down immediate and systemic barriers to create and sustain equitable outcomes. In total, CIS of Nevada serves more than 87,000 students attending 13 schools in Western Nevada, 14 schools in Northeastern Nevada, and 65 schools in Southern Nevada. Nationally, Communities In Schools provides services in more than 3,270 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia, serving 1.8 million young people and their families every year. For more information, visit http://www.cisnevada.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.