From RISE Scholar to Pilot and Scholarship Donor: College Bound AZ Alum Returns to “Lift as You RISE”

Eduardo Vidal to keynote October 30 Boots & Bling Gala celebrating students, scholarships, and the community that helps make their success possible

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MESA, Ariz. (September 16, 2026)

When Eduardo Vidal joined College Bound AZ’s RISE Scholars program in 2012, he was charting a course no one in his family had traveled before. At the time, Vidal was also a high school student at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), where he studied computer repair through EVIT’s career and technical education program. Fourteen years later, Vidal has quite literally taken flight.

Born in Mexico and the first person in his family to graduate from both high school and college, Vidal completed four years of college and today is a Corporate Pilot – Second in Command at SoFar, based in KVNY (Van Nuys, California). On October 30, he will return to College Bound AZ as the guest speaker for the nonprofit’s annual Boots & Bling Gala in Mesa.

His story represents the evening’s message: “Lift as You RISE.” “Eduardo is exactly what we hope for when a young person becomes part of College Bound AZ,” said founder Elizabeth Paulus. “Success isn’t only about how far you travel yourself. It’s about turning around and helping someone else make the journey. Eduardo has never forgotten to do that.”

Vidal’s journey also reflects the long-standing connection between College Bound AZ and EVIT. College Bound AZ delivers its college access programming in partnership with the East Valley Institute of Technology, where career and technical education students prepare for both college and workforce pathways. Vidal’s path, from an EVIT computer repair student to college graduate, corporate pilot, mentor, and scholarship donor, illustrates what can happen when career preparation, education, and sustained support come together.

Vidal has remained connected to College Bound AZ for more than a decade, mentoring students and giving back to the organization that once helped mentor him. This year, he established the Wings of Opportunity Scholarship, awarded to former EVIT student Alexis Moronez to help another young person pursue an aviation future.

But Vidal’s impact isn’t limited to scholarships. When College Bound AZ graduate Raul Torres completed an electrician certificate program and secured a job but lacked transportation to get there, Vidal stepped in. He took Torres to his driver’s test in his own car and then helped him shop for a vehicle he could afford, removing one final obstacle between completing his education and beginning his career.

It’s the kind of assistance that rarely appears on a transcript or diploma but can determine whether education actually leads to economic opportunity. Vidal’s journey is one example of the long-term impact College Bound AZ will celebrate at Boots & Bling.

Since its founding in 2010, College Bound AZ has served 3,013 students, provided 37,800 mentoring hours, helped students secure $67.1 million in financial awards, and provided 22,092 meals to students.

Many of the young people served by College Bound AZ are the first in their families to pursue higher education. “Sometimes a scholarship changes a life. Sometimes it’s a laptop, a meal, help completing financial aid forms, or simply having someone who refuses to let a student give up,” Elizabeth Paulus said. “Eduardo shows us what can happen when that investment continues across generations of students.”

ASU Returns as Major Gala Sponsor

Arizona State University will again be a leading sponsor of College Bound AZ’s 2026 gala. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities and helping Arizona students successfully navigate the path to higher education.

“Arizona State University is proud to continue supporting College Bound AZ and the students it serves,” said Candice Copple, ASU Associate Vice President. “Helping students see a pathway to higher education and giving them the guidance and resources to pursue it reflects our shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity across Arizona.”

The gala brings together students, alumni, educators, businesses, and community supporters while raising funds for scholarships, college and career guidance, mentoring, laptops, and other student support.

Boots & Bling will be held Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West in Mesa. Tickets are $200 per person.

About College Bound AZ

Founded in 2010, College Bound AZ works to advance Equity Through Education by sharing the journey to and through college with underrepresented students through scholarships, guidance, and educational support resources.
College Bound AZ is a registered 501(c)(3) and an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization, making all donations eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit as allowed by law.
For more information, visit collegeboundaz.org