The Treasure Valley Family YMCA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2018 YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarships: Acelynn (Acey) Norris from Boise High School, Oluwabukola (Bukky) Ogunrinola from Ridgevue High School in Nampa, Colette Raptosh from Capital High School in Boise, and Alyssa Wainaina from Renaissance High School in Meridian.
“It is a great honor to grant these scholarships to four very worthy young people in our community,” said David Duro, Treasure Valley Family YMCA’s President and CEO. “This year we were able to award $20,000 from the scholarship fund. I am confident that this investment will provide amazing returns to society. The YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarship is a key component to the YMCA’s mission to develop successful youth, engage people in healthy living, and instill a commitment to social responsibility.”
Dottie and Ed Stimpson, longtime community volunteers and philanthropists, endowed the YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes seniors of high schools located in the geographic area served by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA: Ada and Canyon Counties. Recipients of the scholarship have made significant contributions to their community through community service. They also demonstrate a passion for and dedication to working collaboratively to find solutions for civic issues (whether homelessness, healthcare, education, environment, etc.). And, they dedicate themselves to pursuing civic work (whether career or volunteer) that will strengthen and improve our communities.
Acey Norris juggles several volunteer activities. Notably, her work at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) and Wild Hearts Idaho highlight her commitment to deliver programs that allow youth to discover their creativity and leadership potential. Her focus on giving hope for the future of our community demonstrates her enthusiasm for civic engagement. Norris graduated from Boise High School. She plans to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow.
Bukky Ogunrinola has displayed her commitment to creating safe spaces and opportunities for all youth to grow and thrive without conditional limits. Her efforts to engage students in challenging dialogue and activism through her school’s debate club, statewide poetry slams, and national summits represent just some of the positive impact she has made in the community. Ogunrinola graduated from Ridgevue High School in Nampa. She plans to attend either Boise State University or Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Colette Raptosh has demonstrated strong leadership skills in promoting “equity and inclusivity for women and other minority groups in Idaho.” Recognized nationally for her work to organize the Idaho Women’s Marches in January of 2017 and 2018, Colette has parlayed that success into a variety of events through her establishment of the political action group, People for Unity. Raptosh graduated from Capital High School in Boise. She plans to attend the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Alyssa Wainaina’s life goal is to help her community address its concerns and produce new and creative solutions, particularly for those who are on the margins of society. She has shown maturity and leadership through her development of the Key Club at Renaissance High School in Meridian and her work at the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. Wainaina graduated from Renaissance High School in Meridian. She plans to attend Boise State University.
