Flinn Scholars Program

We have some exciting, and bittersweet, staff changes to announce here at the Flinn Foundation.

Flinn Foundation Executive Vice President Brad Halvorsen is retiring after 35 years of service to the Foundation and Arizona, including working closely with the Flinn Scholars Program.

Matt Ellsworth, who has served as vice president, communications since 2015 has been promoted to chief administrative officer. He’s also a Class of 1993 Flinn Scholar.

And Stacy Sullivan, a veteran journalist who led philanthropic journalism efforts at the Arizona Republic and Gannett’s USA Today Network, has been named vice president, communications.

Congratulations to all. https://flinn.org/flinn-foundation-names-new-leaders-as-longtime-executive-retires-4/

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Alexa Wiese, who will attend veterinary school at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Priscilla Villalobos Ixcotoyac, who will pursue a master’s degree in biology at Arizona State University.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Christina Niyigena, who will pursue a career as a financial planner.

Congratulations to outgoing Mark Macluskie, who will pursue a career in the field of sound engineering.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Dermot Louchart, who will pursue graduate school or the workforce.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Violet King, who will pursue a doctorate in language revitalization at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Mira Kaibara, who will pursue a master's degree in global health at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Heather Laurel Jensen, who will pursue a doctorate in social and affective neuroscience at UCLA.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Nikolas Gruber, who will attend The University of Arizona to earn a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Julia Groman, who will pursue a master’s degree in conflict resolution and negotiation at Tel Aviv University.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Claire Gibson, who will work full time as an associate researcher at Northern Arizona University.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Simon Field, who will enter the workforce in the engineering field and continue to play music professionally around Arizona.

A special moment for the Flinn Scholars community is the honoring of teachers (and college counselors and mentors) by the incoming class during the annual Flinn Scholars Recognition Luncheon.

On May 4, the 20 Arizona high-school seniors in the Flinn Scholars Class of 2024 paid tribute to these Arizona educators for having a substantial impact on their studies and life pursuits.

Arizona teachers, counselors, mentors honored by 2024 Flinn Scholars - Flinn Foundation Jennifer Orozco Torres in 2017 was finishing up fifth grade at Lineweaver Elementary School in Tucson. Her teacher was Lourdes De Leon. Seven years later, the Class of 2024 Flinn Scholar selected De Leon as her “Distinguished Educator” for having the greatest impact in the classroom. Orozco Torr...

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Sofia Arlea Fencken, who will enter the workforce before applying to a Latin American Studies master’s program.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Isabella Maria Espinoza, who will be pursuing graduate school.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Risha Das, who will pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Anya Chaudhry, who will attend medical school and pursue an M.D./MBA dual degree.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Catherine Broski, who will work in sustainability and policy in San Diego.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Max Bregman, who will continue his work as CEO of BreatheEV.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2019 Zoe Benson, who will teach English in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program before beginning medical school.

Congratulations to outgoing Class of 2020 Koda Benavidez, who will work as a research technician in The University of Arizona applied math department before becoming an engineering apprentice at Resource Exchange International next year.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Ruby Wray of Tucson’s Catalina Foothills High School in the Catalina Foothills School District, president of March for Our Lives club, marching band section leader, first-place short story in the Arizona Mystery Writers Contest, and a volunteer at Survivor Shield Foundation and Arizona Hugs for the Homeless.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Edward Wang of BASIS.ed BASIS Flagstaff, Northern Arizona piano competition second-place finisher, superior honors in the Arizona Study Program for piano, Latin teaching assistant, Flagstaff Family Food Center volunteer, and third chair cello at the Arizona Music Educators Association Northwest Regional Orchestra.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Gaven Trusty of Humboldt Unified School District's Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Cadet First Sergeant in Civil Air Patrol Sq. 206, JROTC Battalion Commander, recipient of the Military Officers' Association of America JROTC Cadet Award, treasurer of the National Honor Society and varsity tennis player.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Brendan Salisbury of DVUSD's Barry Goldwater High School in Phoenix, a Bezos Scholar and Coca-Cola Scholar, Eagle Scout, Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year, and founder of Mynd Revolution plus a tutoring service.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Seth Rojas of Tucson’s Catalina Foothills High School in the Catalina Foothills School District, president of FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics, coach of FIRST LEGO League Robotics, recipient of the Oracle Java certificate, math and Spanish tutor, and varsity basketball player.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Zahrah Ralph of DVUSD's Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, four-year volleyball captain, seamstress for Sewing for Senior Citizens, Black Student Union founder, and Ridge newspaper journalist.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Ariana Rahman of BASIS.ed's BASIS Chandler, the Computational Biology, International Science and Engineering Fair third-place finisher, American Cancer Society legislative ambassador, president of the UNICEF USA club and a National Merit Semifinalist.

The Flinn Foundation introduces 2024 Leanna Mia Payan Delgado of Tucson Unified School District (TUSD)’s Pueblo High School in Tucson, a participant in Upward Bound, Advancement via Individual Determination, and the Environmental Scholars summer experience at University of Arizona, and a Mexican American Student Award recipient.