Colorado State University - Pueblo announces 2008 class of Kane Foundation Scholars

Pueblo-  Nine high-achieving Pueblo students have earned full tuition and book scholarships for up to five years to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University – Pueblo thanks to a Fountain couple’s estate. President Joseph Garcia announced today the names of the nine students who make up the 2008 class of the Kane Family Scholars. The program was made possible by the foundation of the late Alexander “Andy” and Wanden Matthews Kane.

The students will be honored by CSU-Pueblo, the 2007 Kane Scholars, as well as representatives from the Kane Family Foundation and the students’ respective high schools at a reception on April 25 in the Occhiato University Center Hearthwell Lounge.

The following students have been named Kane Scholars for 2008:

Megan Sefcovic, Centennial High School. Sefcovic seeks a degree in mass communications with a minor in business administration. She served as student body president in 2007-08, a position she says she held “with pride and gratitude that I was given the chance to lead our school and be a part of the Centennial legacy.”

Kaylene Archuleta, Central High School. She has always been intrigued by the psychology and criminal psychology fields, having witnessed her mother’s work at the prison in Canon City. She wants to use her degree to help educate the youth of Pueblo about being productive cirtizens in the community and to work with families to help them see how important is it to be a good role model.

Andrew Ritterling, County High School. He hopes to become a major business leader and “influence an industry, provide employment, and build businesses that would share my values and work ethic as an example to others.” He already owns his own carpet cleaning business, “Andrew’s Carpet Solutions.”

Caitline Paglione, Dolores Huerta Preparatory High. Paglione wants to be employed in the medical field, either as a trauma nurse or an athletic trainer, and to help people in need.

Keely Severance, East High School. Severence also hopes to pursue a medical career with a dream to work in an emergency room because of the diversity of patients. Her ultimate goal is to open a free clinic in order to give back to the community.

Davlyn Story, Pueblo Technical Academy. With a goal to major in nursing, Davlyn wants to make a difference in people’s lives, which in turn, will make a difference in this community.

Ryan Encinias, Pueblo West High School. Encinias will major in business and minor in marketing in hopes of becoming an entrepreneur and opening his own business which is community focused and will give back to schools and the community.

Lindsay Tapia, South High School. Tapia has a desire to pursue sports medicine or physical therapy and carry on the family tradition of working with and helping others.

Aaron Rochester, Rye High School. Rochester will transition from being a ThunderBolt to ThunderWolf, pursuing a pre-med curriculum with a major in biology and minor in anthropology. He is fascinated by the brain and hopes to be the next researcher to have his findings published.

Students are selected based on their high school academic record, and on recommendations from each high school (Centennial, Central, County, East, South, Pueblo West, and the Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School, Rye, and Pueblo Tech Academy) as well as a written essay and personal interview. As Kane Scholars, students will receive free tuition, books, and mandatory course fees (NOT student fees) for up to five years toward pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

Alexander Kane, a Fountain native, died June 3, 2003. Wanden Kane, a two-time mayor of Fountain, died Feb. 3, 1991. The couple ran the Kane Ranch near Williams Creek. During their lifetimes, the Kanes helped many young people with the financing of their education and also contributed to research related to drug and alcohol addiction. Before his death, Kane established the Kane Family Foundation and directed the Foundation to provide funds for tuition and books for eligible students. The gifts allows CSU-Pueblo to present eight scholarships each year.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.