March is Women’s History Month, and we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025
Arizona Charitable Tax Credit
Volunteer and Mentor
Your time and expertise are invaluable. Consider volunteering as a mentor to guide students through their educational paths. By sharing your experiences and knowledge, you can directly influence their success and confidence. College Bound AZ partners with Positive Paths, a wonderful organization that helps underprivileged women in the East Valley through scholarships and provides them with a mentor.
RISE Scholars Student of the Month
Congratulations to Aylin Andrea Chavez Garay for selection as our March RISE Scholars Student of the Month! Andrea is part of the EVIT Medical Assistant program and was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Angelica Wagner. “She is always willing to help students and first to volunteer for activities,” wrote Ms. Wagner. “This student is an exceptionally hard worker here at EVIT and is the epitome of what a medical assistant should strive to be with her caring and mindfulness of others.”
Welcome Our Newest Board Member
Andrea Piering, President of Sun State Builders construction company, joins the Board of Directors of College Bound AZ. Andrea learned about the program through a 2024 Thunderbirds Charities press release that announced a grant award in support of the Equity through Education initiative. “I’m just happy if I can help.” said Andrea. We are so excited to welcome Andrea to the Board!
RISE Scholars This Month
Student debt in America has reached a staggering $1.4 trillion. Anybody who has one will tell you student loans linger for years. This month, RISE Scholars will get a budget sheet to analyze their first-year budgets and raise awareness on loans and credit. The AZ Promise Program provides four years of tuition to eligible students who qualify for a Pell grant. While this is an incredible hand-up, many expenses still must be met. Financial stress is one of the biggest reasons students leave college. Let’s help our kiddos make informed decisions!
Where Are They Now?
Kylie Hunts-in-Winter
With March being Women’s History Month, we want to recognize one of our own making history. Kylie Hunts-in-Winter becomes the first from the RISE Scholars program to graduate from Harvard University! Kylie will earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology on May 27, 2025! Kylie’s family is also from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
From the very start, Kylie had decided to attend Harvard. Her many interests and activities throughout high school prepared her for the challenge of any Ivy League school.
Kylie studied Kenpo Karate starting at age 3 and competed and won in national tournaments, ultimately receiving her Black Belt in Kenpo. She imparts her martial artist self-defense skills to more than 119,000 Instagram followers, seeking to empower women.
Her journey to self-discovery developed a passion for championing women’s rights including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW). She feels martial arts and MMIW advocacy concern the same fundamental principle. “They’re both about women empowerment. They’re both about the voices that aren’t heard,” she says.
Kylie attended the Arizona Connections Academy as well as the East Valley Institute of Technology to study Criminal Justice. EVIT is where she joined RISE Scholars. “RISE scholars helped me realize how impactful college and post-school programs like this one can be in a student’s life. Being a part of RISE was not only so insightful for me, but I saw the amazing impact it had for other students who probably would’ve struggled much more to reach their goals without their support,’’ said Kylie of the support she received from College Bound AZ.
Now her experiences at Harvard University have prepared Kylie for higher levels of advocacy. For example, at Harvard Kylie was part of a team that attended a session at the United Nations for a better understanding of global topics. She is not only a champion for women empowerment but embodies women empowerment!
Congratulations on your unprecedented accomplishments, Kylie Hunts-in-Winter, Harvard University Class of 2025.
Coming Events
Friday, March 7, 2025. International Women’s Day Brunch by Arizona Technology Council. Foster STEM among women with connection, collaboration, and growth among attendees. 10 -11:30 am.
Saturday, March 8, 2025. Thunderbird Pow Wow at Mesa Community College. Celebrate indigenous peoples through dance, music and cultural expression. 10 am to 10 pm.
Saturday, March 15, 2025. East Valley 25th Annual Women’s Day Out Expo, Mesa Convention Center. Browse products and services tailored to women, ranging from fashion and beauty to health and wellness. 10 am – 3 pm.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025. FAFSA Workshop, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 2626 E Pecos Road, Chandler, AZ. Presentations are in Spanish and English. 5-7 p.m,
College Bound AZ is a 501c3 community resource that goes on the journey to college with aspiring underrepresented students with scholarships, guidance, and education supports for their advancement to a better future through education.
