Vandal Promise Impact Report

THE POWER OF THE VANDAL PROMISE

In this report for the 2023-2024 academic year, we are thrilled to share how your generosity continues to transform lives and provide opportunities through the Vandal Promise Scholarship Program. These Vandal Promise scholars are part of a diverse cohort from across Idaho. Each student’s unique story of determination and success has been fueled by your generosity. Thank you for continuing to champion our mission to make higher education accessible to all. Together, we are creating an unstoppable future for our students, our state and the world.

“If it wasn’t for your support, I would not have been able to attend college or be where I am now.”

- Angel Dominguez

Name: Hope Ashland Aasgard

Hometown: Saint Maries, ID

Name: Devlin M. Addison

Hometown: Idaho Falls, ID

Name: Arely Alvarado

Hometown: Saint Anthony, ID

Name: Erika G. Amaral

Hometown: Kuna, ID

Name: Austin Gene Christopher Anderson Hometown: Ellis, ID

Name: Eric J. Anderson Hometown: Pocatello, ID

Name: Janet J. Anderson Hometown: Pocatello, ID

Name: Conrad Kopsa Becker Hometown: Sandpoint, ID

Name: Alyxandrea Marie Benson Hometown: Star, ID

Name: Kaitlyn F. Braae

Hometown: Priest River, ID

Name: Hunter Brazee Hometown: Post Falls, ID

Name: Ellie C. Brower Hometown: Moscow, ID

Name: Madisyn Kailee Brower Hometown: Nezperce, ID

Name: Chelsie M. Candia Hometown: Victor, ID

Name: Owen R. Carswell Hometown: Boise, ID

Name: Cydnee Jean Carter Hometown: Nampa, ID

Name: Khristian Adrian Ceballos Hometown: Twin Falls, ID

Name: Abbigayle L. Connell Hometown: Kimberly, ID

Name: EmmaRae D. Parsons Hometown: Arco, ID

Name: Angel Lea Dominguez Hometown: Kooskia, ID

Name: Samuel Dean Earnest Hometown: Pocatello, ID

Name: Ashtin Ellison Hometown: Mountain Home, ID

Name: Zoe O. Evans Hometown: Post Falls, ID

Name: Talowa Star Fallingwater Hometown: Mullan, ID

Name: Liam J. Fish Hometown: Post Falls, ID

Name: Lily Anne Gardner Hometown: Coeur d'Alene, ID

Name: Megan Marie Goeckner Hometown: Culdesac, ID

Name: Ethan Lee Haggard Hometown: Boise, ID

Name: Mikaela Kristene Herrick Hometown: Kooskia, ID

Name: Alannah N. Jahn Hometown: Sandpoint, ID

“It is a family. You find your people that you really love to be around and it’s just a huge support system.”

- EmmaRae Parsons

“It is the kindness and generosity from these donors that keep the Vandal spirit alive.”

- Travis Kerr

Name: Travis J. Kerr

Hometown: Post Falls, ID

Name: Delyla A. Kester

Hometown: Homedale, ID

Name: Tammi Lin Hometown: Eagle, ID

Name: Jennifer Lopez

Hometown: Mountain Home, ID

Name: Kevin Alexander Mcenany Hometown: Meridian, ID

Name: Kaylee A. Moody Hometown: Pocatello, ID

Name: Giselle Murillo-Garcia Hometown: Jerome, ID

Name: Monserrat Perez Hometown: Weiser, ID

Name: Gabriella Ponce Hometown: Wendell, ID

Name: Jada Yisel Ponce Hometown: Caldwell, ID

Name: Micah Marie Raoelina Hometown: Caldwell, ID

Name: Pressley A. Ray Hometown: Arco, ID

Name: Avery W. Rinehart Hometown: Kimberly, ID

Name: Mauricio Enrique Rodriguez Hometown: Jerome, ID

Name: Shiomara Carmen Rodriguez Hometown: Jerome, ID

Name: Taci Kay Rouse Hometown: New Plymouth, ID

Name: Mary Desarae Sanchez-Chapman Hometown: Weiser, ID

Name: Maria Rubi SanchezJuarez Hometown: Weiser, ID

Name: Alia Grace Schmitt Hometown: Sagle, ID

Name: Jack D. Silflow Hometown: Kendrick, ID

Name: Lily B. Sitar Hometown: Athol, ID

Name: Martha Blanch Smith Hometown: Kooskia, ID

Name: Gavin R. Starr Hometown: Rathdrum, ID

Name: Kaitlyn June Summerfield Hometown: Moyie Springs, ID

Name: Avery Daveigh Tabb Hometown: Moscow, ID

Name: Aurelia Ryesen Tate Hometown: Meridian, ID

Name: Rim Tedros Tekle Hometown: Twin Falls, ID

“Your financial support helped me focus on my crucial first year of college without the added challenge of balancing work and school. This is allowing me to academically succeed while discovering who I am as a person. I can’t put into words how thankful I am for that.”

- Martha Smith

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024 SCHOLAR

Erika G. Amaral Class of 2025

Hometown: Kuna, Idaho

Major: Political Science

A Note of Appreciation

I want to start off by saying thank you from the bottom of my heart! Opening the email about this made my jaw drop in excitement and I hope my donors know how grateful I am for it and I will use it in the best ways possible.

Experiences That Matter

I chose U of I with anticipation to be able to participate in law school after receiving my bachelor‘s degree. That is way far ahead, but I am so excited to live through this completely unknown experience and make new friends along the way!

Meaningful Careers

I have been thinking of pursuing immigration law since I was about 13. Now I feel that I am still far from achieving that, but also slightly closer by attending U of I. If I don't end up going to law school I am hoping to use that degree to go into other political positions when the time comes.

Access For All

This scholarship has done the obvious by helping me pay my tuition. Besides that I am hoping to be able to use the extra money by really participating in new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. I would love to go and study in a different country for six months to a year.

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024 SCHOLAR

Talowa Star Fallingwater

Class of 2024

Hometown: Mullan, Idaho

Major: Wildlife Resources

A Note of Appreciation

Thank you so much for helping students further their education and enjoy their college experience. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been presented at U of I. You have greatly impacted my life and made it possible for me to attend college. Thank you for everything you do.

Experiences That Matter

This year, I have been much more focused on school, which has helped me improve and stay ahead of things. I have explored different areas of natural resources, from forestry to wildlife to soil science. I've met a lot of people interested in wildlife and a lot of professors, with my favorite being Randall Brooks, a forestry professor.

Meaningful Careers

I chose wildlife resources because I am an outdoor fanatic. I also have a strong love for animals and conservation. I've been pursuing this degree since freshman year, and am still very interested in seeing it through. I have also been exploring forestry and fire, and even worked as a wildland firefighter this last summer.

Access For All

This scholarship has had a positive impact on my life. I am lucky enough to have my tuition and living expenses covered. Last semester, my car radiator blew, and it was a costly expense. But thankfully, I was able to get it fixed with the help of this scholarship. I also had to move mid-semester and was able to cover all my deposits and rent.

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024

SCHOLAR

Delyla A. Kester

Class of 2027

Hometown: Homedale, Idaho

Major: Wildlife management

A Note of Appreciation

Thank you so much for taking your time to donate to students. It has really impacted my life and helped me afford college. Thank you, again!

Experiences That Matter

U of I has been fun! I've been struggling with some of my classes, but I have been studying more and working harder.

Meaningful Careers

I was going to be a vet tech, but when I picked my major, I chose wildlife management because it is involved with animals and the mountains, both of which are my favorite things.

Access For All

It has helped me not stress about paying back student loans in the future.

THANK YOU

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024 SCHOLAR

EmmaRae D. Parsons

Class of 2024

Hometown: Arco, Idaho

Majors: Biotechnology and Plant Genomics Agricultural Economics - Agribusiness Emphasis Plant Protection, Agricultural Commodity Risk Management Certificate

A Note of Appreciation

I would like my donors to know that the scholarships not only help me financially, but also on a personal level. It was amazing to know that there were Vandals I haven't even met who believe in me and in the university's mission. They have challenged me to put myself out there and try new things, because if they are going to "sponsor" me, I'm going to give it my all and make a difference!

Experiences That Matter

This year has been the greatest of all, and is the "full circle moment" people talk about. I have had the opportunity to travel to conferences in Boise, Washington, D.C., California, St. Louis and more. I have networked with Farm Bureau, USDA and the American Society of Agronomy, and met many professionals in the field.

Meaningful Careers

I chose my major because I love agriculture. I seek to gain a general understanding of each sector of agriculture, which has been successful thus far thanks to the wonderful faculty and the opportunities here at U of I. My favorite part of plant science has been the wide diversity of classes. From physiology to pesticides, we cover a lot.

Access For All

This scholarship has eased the financial burden of attending university. It has given me the opportunity to take a job that may have lower wages, but I learn more and love my work. I don't need to stress as much about finances, but can focus on my academics and improving our academic community through recruitment, club involvement and volunteer work. It has truly made it possible to enjoy school.

THANK YOU

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024 SCHOLAR

Micah Marie Raoelina Class of 2025

Hometown: Caldwell, Idaho

Majors: Exercise, Sport and Health Science: Pre-Physical Therapy Philosophy

A Note of Appreciation

Thank you. Despite never meeting me, not knowing who I am or where I came from, you were still willing to extend a hand of support and bless me with an opportunity. I will not let your kindness go to waste. Not only have you made it possible for me to go to school, you have made it possible for me to support my future family and for me to meet my lifelong friends. Thank you for changing my life.

Experiences That Matter

The best part of this year was most definitely finding my partner. She is everything I could ever dream of and more. I like to call her sunshine because she always brightens my day! Following that is all the friends I made on campus and my professors. These relationships are going to last way after I graduate, and I am so excited to take on the world with them by my side!

Meaningful Careers

I chose exercise science because I love to move, I love to play sports and I love to challenge the body. I was recently in a serious accident playing basketball, where I completely tore my patellar tendon in one of my legs, losing the ability to walk and virtually take care of myself. Thankfully, this scholarship means I will get the opportunity to see the affects of my studies first hand and experience it!

Access For All

This scholarship has made it possible for me to chase this dream. Like most, my family is not able to afford college, so after high school, the thought of secondary education was very foreign and unstable. Thankfully, this scholarship allowed me to focus on my schooling and my career without as much worry for money or other support. I do not know where I would be without it.

Vandal Promise Scholarship

2023-2024 SCHOLAR

Avery Daveigh Tabb Class of 2025

Hometown: Moscow, Idaho

Major: Secondary Education

Emphasis in English and History

A Note of Appreciation

I am so appreciative of the scholarships I have been given because I am able to focus on school rather than working, and I will graduate with almost no debt. The scholarships I have been given are helping me to focus on my education to be the best educator I can possibly be. Thank you for helping me on my educational journey. I appreciate you so much.

Experiences That Matter

This year at the University of Idaho, I have been able to start taking courses that are more specific to my degree and I have been enjoying them quite a bit. I also had the opportunity to go on a trip to see the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for a class, and I had a great time learning about Shakespeare and considering how I can use that experience for my future students.

Meaningful Careers

I know that I want to continue learning for the rest of my life and to make a difference in the world. Secondary education allows me to do both of those things. I can touch the lives of all of the young people who will come through my classroom, and I will constantly be learning not only about my subject matter, but about my students, their cultures, languages and experiences.

Access For All

The scholarships I have been given have allowed me to meet other students who have also been offered this scholarship. The leaders who plan events for us also give us amazing opportunities to learn about how to study well, as well as take us to events (such as Vandal Cooking) where we can learn how to make healthy meals.