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Congratulations 2024 Bright Scholars

Recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa, Lois Dale Bright Scholarship, and Bright Scholars Persistence awards.

About the Scholarships

The Bright Foundation funds renewable, last dollar college scholarships covering the full cost of attendance so that recipients have the financial means to graduate on-time, debt-free, prepared to launch careers and give back. Recipients are all high-achieving Iowa high school graduates attending one of the three state universities and must also meet income guidelines. For more information, learn about our scholarships here.

2024 Recipients

Abdisalan "Sudais" Ahmed

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

Iowa State University

Ella Bandy

Bright Scholars of Iowa

University of Iowa

Lexie Bingham

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Jessica Burgett

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Iowa

Jennifer Cardenas-Hernandez

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Clayton Davis

Bright Scholar of Iowa

Iowa State University

Grace Davis

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Lizbeth Gonzalez Jaramillo

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Northern Iowa

Joanna Guerrero

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Iowa

Natalia Guerra-Ceron

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

Iowa State University

Ella Gunn

Bright Scholar Persistence

University of Northern Iowa

Levi Hodge

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Melanie Ites

Bright Scholar of Iowa

Iowa State University

Amaal Jama

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Kimberlin Karnga

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Jazmin Maceda

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Aleesha Mascarenas

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Aaron Marino-Moreno

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

Iowa State University

Kethia Mulonda

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Fardowsa Mohamed

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Penni Owings

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Shivam Patel

Bright Scholar of Iowa

Iowa State University

Carlos Perez

Bright Scholar Persistence

Iowa State University

Kevin Perez

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

Iowa State University

Abigail Pint

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Iowa

Tae'Shaun Presswood

Bright Scholars Persistence

University of Northern Iowa

Alyssa Stille

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Iowa

Gianna Schwartz

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Garrett Thompson

Bright Scholar of Iowa

Iowa State University

Evan Thul

Bright Scholar of Iowa

Iowa State University

Linda Van Sui Dim

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

MinhUyen Vo

Lois Dale Bright Scholar

University of Iowa

Isabelle Yoder

Bright Scholar of Iowa

University of Iowa

“Being a Bright Scholar means being part of a family that is selfless and giving, and which strives to provide a better future for today’s youth who, in turn, will contribute to society.”

“This is a great community of scholarship recipients to be part of. The scholarship has improved my life in so many ways – not only by allowing me to graduate debt-free in just eight semesters, but also by providing a support system and a network of other Bright Scholars.”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”

“I want to personally thank the Bright Foundation for this year. I would not be nearly as successful without their financial support. I come from an incredibly humble background and the financial stability they have given me in the form of this scholarship has allowed me to commit my highest potential to my classwork. They are the reason I am the student I am today. I have tried to carry the Bright Foundation’s values close to my heart this academic year. I worked extremely hard and devoted much of my outside time to volunteer work. I cannot put into works how grateful I am for the opportunities this foundation has given me. They have laid the groundwork for all of my current and future success. I plan to celebrate these values, and this foundation for the rest of my life.”

“I cannot even begin to properly thank or even put into words how much this foundation has helped put me on an amazing path to reach and accomplish my dreams. Ever since I was seven years old, I have wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to be able to help people, to make sick people better, to be a healer, and to learn and grow to the fullest of my abilities. Because of the Bright scholarship, these dreams and goals are closer within reach. I am achieving success in ways I never thought were possible. My dreams may have been to help others and learn as much as I possibly can, but this foundation has helped me and given me the chance to do the things I love, to push myself, learn, and experience the joy of hard work and success. This scholarship inspired me to help others as well. Currently, I am pursuing a research opportunity with Dr. Mario Ascoli, Carver College of Medicine, to help with work on finding cures for infertility. I am also in the beginning stages of recruitment for alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority! A lot of things have been going on for me, but none of this would be possible without the Bright Foundation. This foundation gave me the blessing of not having to be stressed, financial security, the ability to reach my goals, but most importantly, faith in myself to do what I love best, so again, thank you.”