NW Valley Times

Scholarship recipient and student speaker Kharlo Ramirez Aleman hugged his mother, Isabel Aleman, during the Canyon Rising Scholarship Reception at Global Credit Union Arena on Sept. 5, 2024.

Kharlo Ramirez Aleman wanted his grandmother to witness the event, so she traveled from Mexico and was wheeled near the front of Global Credit Union Arena on Thursday night. She wore a fine dress to see her grandson accept a Canyon Rising Scholarship to Grand Canyon University, an achievement that once seemed improbable.

Grandmother Isabel Morales was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis at age 30.

“Every time the doctors told her she would not be able to walk and would be on bed rest for the rest of her life, she said, ‘No, I’ve got to be able to live and see my grandkids’ success,’” Ramirez said. “So I wanted to have her here to show that it was all worth it and to thank her for the resilience she had throughout the years. I want to make her proud.”

Pride was prevalent among the family members of 305 recipients of the Canyon Rising Scholarship, triple the number awarded in the program formally named Students Inspiring Students (SIS). Its scope widened from high-achieving students in need from nearby neighborhoods to all of Arizona, bringing the total offered scholarships to more than 1,000 since 2016.

Many had stories like Ramirez's. The Raymond S. Kellis High School graduate addressed hundreds of family members and friends at the Canyon Rising Scholarship Reception.

“I don’t just carry my own hopes and dreams; I carry the dreams of my mom, my dad, and many generations who came before me that never had the privilege to step onto a college campus and pursue higher education,” he told the crowd.

His parents faced extreme poverty throughout their youth. "My father, the oldest of six, dropped out of high school to work," he said. "And my mother began working a full-time job at age 15 to support a younger brother and sister and a mother who could no longer work."

Mother Isabel Aleman recorded her son’s speech with her phone camera while his father, Jose Ramirez, beamed with joy. For a time, they were homeless before finding stability in Phoenix in 2010 where Jose works as a carpet installer today.

“He’s doing better than us. He is doing more things than we expected,” said Jose Ramirez. The whole family moved Kharlo into Prescott Hall last week as part of an offer that included full tuition plus room and board for some scholars for the first time. “We were excited to see him fly on his own.”

Isabel Aleman urged her son to stay off dangerous streets by engaging him in various sports activities.

“Even if they didn’t have food for themselves," Kharlo noted in an interview about his parents' sacrifices, "they always made sure I was fed and given every opportunity.”

The reception is one of GCU's most heartwarming nights as donors witness young people express gratitude while showing potential for changing their families' lives.

Ximena Favila led an opening prayer asking for peace and strength for new students facing stress while thanking God for higher education opportunities.

Favila expressed gratitude afterward: “I came from Mexico about six years ago; attending college seemed uncertain... but Grand Canyon University supported me.” Majoring in biology with aspirations of becoming an orthodontist herself someday added weight behind those words: “I thank God for every single one because He has purpose here.”

Jennifer Mitchell explained that due its previous success SIS tripled scholarship numbers this year alongside increasing career counseling efforts ensuring graduates are job-ready: “We went big.”

GCU President Brian Mueller emphasized community growth along university expansion stating importance lies within offering rare educational opportunities amidst inherent challenges ahead encouraging persistence towards graduation over celebratory evenings like these alone being memorable markers instead ultimately culminating diplomas later received completing respective journeys begun tonight further underscored personally engaging each scholar individually prior proceedings concluded refreshments shared between joyous attendees celebrating accomplishments together warmly collectively experienced:

“The opportunity you are going have which maybe your parents or grandparents didn’t now exists" continued further stressing significance maintaining commitment despite obstacles forthcoming eventually yielding greater achievements surpassing present milestones celebrated additionally recognized individually through certificates awarded symbolizing scholarships granted marking commencement transformative academic paths embarked upon herein future successes anticipated eagerly looked forward witnessing unfolding progressively envisioned brighter tomorrows realized ahead everyone involved supportive roles played contributing immensely collectively uplifting endeavors ongoing persistently sustained dedicatedly embraced fully wholeheartedly affirmed undoubtedly truly inspiring hopeful legacies left enduringly remembered fondly cherished always forevermore indelibly etched lasting memories created therein thereby perpetuating continually thriving onward steadfastly resilient unwavering 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