Scholarships
Apply for our College Scholarships
Dr. Ruben Zepeda II Memorial Scholarship: $1,000
Dr. Ruben Zepeda II served as Superintendent of Keppel Union School District and was a strong partner to RISE After School Programs. Honoring a tireless advocate for children and underserved populations, the Dr. Ruben Zepeda II Memorial Scholarship will be presented annually to a graduating high school student in the Antelope Valley Union High School District who participated in an after school program while in elementary or middle school, and who intends to enroll in college in the fall immediately after graduation, with the goal of becoming an educator.
Previous scholarship recipients
2021 - Abigail Velazquez - Littlerock HS
2022 - Makayla Dowdell - Palmdale HS
2023 - Alejandrina Moran - Littlerock HS & Victoria Abban - Lancaster HS
Kim Morales Memorial Scholarship: $1,000
Kim Morales worked in a number of capacities in RISE: starting as a program instructor, she later provided support as a classroom teacher and sports coach to our program at Lake Los Angeles School. The Kim Morales Memorial Scholarship will be presented to a graduating senior in the Antelope Valley Union High School District who participated in an after school program while in elementary or middle school, overcame adversity during his or her educational career, and intends to attend college immediately after graduation.
Previous scholarship recipients
2021 - Monica Bellamy - Pete Knight HS
2022 - Emily Espinoza Nunez - Palmdale HS
2023 - Brianna Perez - Littlerock HS & Ezekial Adeleke - Palmdale HS
RISE to success scholarships (for RISE employees only)
2023 Kenneth Forte RISE to Success Memorial Scholarship
Kenneth Forte- "Mr. Kenny" as he was known to the students at Live Oak- only worked for RISE School Programs for a short time. During that time, he quickly became a favorite of both students and co-workers. He connected immediately with students and loved his job. As one of his RISE supervisors described, "all of the older boys wanted to be Kenny, and all of the younger girls were sure they were going to marry him someday."
Kenny's life was tragically cut short by an automobile accident, and his presence is missed daily by his family and friends. Kenny was a student at College of the Canyons at the time of his passing, with a bright future ahead of him.
The Kenneth Forte RISE to Success Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to Kenny's memory. In order to qualify for this scholarship, a RISE employee must meet the following criteria:
Be currently or previously enrolled at College of the Canyons (COC)
Be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the fall of 2023
Be employed with RISE in the fall of 2023 (4 days per week minimum)
Obtain a short recommendation from a supervisor stating that the candidate makes special effort to connect with RISE students
2023 recipient
Kylie Thompson: Kylie joined the RISE team in October 2022. She currently works in the Castaic RISE programs while continuing her education at The College of the Canyons.
RISE to success 2023 scholarship
RISE is proud to offer scholarships to its employees enrolled in an accredited college degree program who remain employed with RISE through fall of 2024.
Qualifications to apply:
Must be enrolled in fall of 2024 in 2 or 4 year program, or in an accredited certificate program (for example, x-ray technician or dental hygienist programs)
Must be employed with RISE by April 1 2024 and still be employed in September (minimum 3 days per week)
Must be employee in good standing at time of application (Completed all required trainings, zero no-call no-shows this semester, limited absences this school year and this semester, no dress code violations or written warnings this semester)
Complete the application no later than May 1, 2024
2023 recipients
Analise Rappe (Sulphur Springs)
Lizeth Perez Contreras (Palmdale)
Alanah Aldana (Keppel)
Kayla Gegeny (Sulphur Springs)
Josie Pina (Eastside)
Deisy Silva (Palmdale)
Kylie Thompson (Castaic)
Adam Arvisu (Eastside)
Ebony Barnes (Eastside)
Brooklyn Rappe (Sulphur Springs)
Chantay Chavez (Keppel)
Samantha Arellano (Palmdale)
Rachel Morales (daugher of Cheryl Morales - Keppel and Wilsona)
Caitlin Lovejoy (daugher of Juliana Lovejoy - Palmdale)
Harmony Panameno (Daugher to Sara Panameno - Palmdale