Meet Some of Our Scholarship Recipients
LEO Foundation is committed to expanding access to higher education and developing our community’s future leaders. We ensure opportunities are available to bright and motivated students to pursue their educational and career goals.
Matthew
Matthew became a Christian at 18 years old despite his upbringing in a religiously unaffiliated home. Since that time, he has pursued pastoral ministry whole-heartedly. He has served at Christian youth camps and is currently working on his bachelor's degree in Christian studies. This summer, Matthew will lead and serve youth as the Assistant Director at Hume Lake Christian Camp. "Without the help from LEO Foundation, I wouldn't be here and wouldn't have the opportunity to pursue my dream."
Julian
Through my scholarship opportunity, I have met some amazing people and have found my path in life and a new relationship with God. The Leo Foundation Scholarship Award has given me, a first-generation Hispanic higher-education student, the opportunity to accomplish my goals of getting a Business IT degree, making a name for myself in this precious life, and making my family proud. This opportunity has changed my life!
Joshua
Through the support of the LEO Foundation and dedication to his goal, Joshua is in his second year of an accelerated three-year undergraduate program to become a pastor in Christian ministry. He realized his calling from God during his junior year of high school and continues to pursue God’s plan for his life. Joshua’s journey has included ministering to youth in the community through his church and summer camps.
After graduation, Joshua will pursue a Master of Divinity with plans for a life of ministry as a teaching pastor and serving in various capacities for which he is called and equipped. “I am incredibly thankful for the scholarship funding from the LEO Foundation. It makes all of this possible.”
Caleb
I am a Senior at Grand Canyon University, double majoring in entrepreneurial studies and digital production with an emphasis on screenwriting. Two polar opposites, right? I’d tend to agree, but as I enter my senior year, I am amazed at how much of a role each major has played in the success of the other. The organizational skills learned in my business classes have proven to be essential as the very nature of film is teamwork. Likewise, my creativity has tremendously supported my pursuit of a business degree. The LEO Foundation has helped me in every step of my college career and has given me the opportunity to finish my Bachelor’s program on a high note. The LEO Foundation CEO, Madeline Winney, said, “God’s gift to you is who you are, and your gift to God is what you do with it.” With encouragement like this, one can not help but feel reassured that they are on the right path. The support of the LEO Foundation has allowed me to receive an education that not only has played a critical factor in who I am today but has given me the skills and knowledge I will use to help build a better tomorrow.
Natalie
Thanks to the LEO Foundation Scholarship, Natalie graduated with honors from an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She knew from an early age that this profession was her calling. The academic and book scholarship award allowed her to focus on schoolwork and studying. Natalie is now a registered nurse at an outpatient surgery center, helping dialysis patients.
Eunice
Thanks to LEO Foundation Scholarships, Eunice graduated in 2021 as an electrical engineer. She is thriving on the east coast with her dream job at Google. Her six-year journey, which started when she was a 15-year-old girl living on another continent, had many twists and turns, but her faith, patience, and strength always prevailed.
Jaiden
Basketball is more than a game; it’s my structure, my community. I’ve been playing since I was five years old. As a kid, I moved schools a lot. Moving was never easy, especially because I have a learning disability and hearing difficulties. The court became my safe place, and my teammates developed into a sisterhood.
I’m grateful and excited to have the opportunity to study business management at Yavapai College. Playing basketball made this possible. The game’s fast-paced environment helped me with my problem-solving, creativity, and self-confidence. It also helped me get out of my social shell and have the courage to express myself.
Brooklyn
I am so grateful for the LEO Foundation and everything you do to make things like a college education possible. With support from the LEO Foundation, I can study Biology with the intent of going to medical school after obtaining my bachelor's degree. Scholarship opportunities like this give other students and me time to focus on studies and get involved on campus. I am incredibly thankful for the funding that has made this foundation possible, giving students more opportunities to achieve their dreams.
Isabelle
I am currently a Master's student at Grand Canyon University studying to receive my MBA in Finance. The LEO Foundation has supported me with scholarships for my Master's degree program. My studies started at the University of California, Santa Cruz, before transferring and graduating from GCU with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and a minor in Finance. I played NCAA Women's Tennis at both UCSC and GCU. I currently hold a position as Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs for a Phoenix company, where I manage Operations, HR, Marketing, and Payroll.
Sebastian
Sebastian began his collegiate career with a soccer scholarship until an injury forced him to retire his jersey. With new scholarship funding from LEO Foundation, he was able to continue school and graduate with a degree in Business Administration/Management and obtain a Master of Management, Communications, and IT. Sebastian now owns a business providing IT project management support and solutions.
Keian
I am Keian and a freshman at GCU.
After graduating from high school, I had a great opportunity to go on a humanitarian trip to Guatemala. It was one of the best experiences of my life! My father served his LDS mission in Guatemala, and ever since I was born, he has wanted to take me there and show me all the places he lived during his two-year mission.
The trip was a life-changer. I spent two weeks serving others by building houses, laying and mixing cement, visiting families and giving them clothes and food, and helping little kids at a school in the areas we served. My favorite part of this entire trip was being able to visit families experiencing poverty and giving them food and clothes, which put the biggest smiles on their faces.
I wanted to thank the LEO Foundation for the scholarship. Paying for school was one of my biggest fears and one thing holding me back from going. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Jacob
Through the BHHS Legacy Nursing and Health-Related Scholarship awarded to me by the LEO Foundation, I am able to complete my Bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine. The LEO foundation has played a significant role in supporting me to attain the education needed to be able to pursue my goal of getting into medical school. As an individual that comes from humble origins, it has always been my goal to work hard and make my family proud. The LEO Foundation has made that possible, and I couldn't be more grateful for that opportunity. Thank you.