Colorado Grad Wins $4K to Pursue Special Education Dream

Gabriela Perez just graduated from Eagle Valley High School with more than a diploma. She's carrying a $4,000 scholarship and a clear mission to make classrooms more inclusive for students with special needs.

The Western Colorado Community Foundation awarded Perez the Laura R. Genelin Memorial Scholarship, recognizing her academic achievement and commitment to education. With a GPA above 3.5, she stood out among Eagle County graduates competing for the award.

This fall, Perez will attend the University of Northern Colorado to major in special education. She'll join a field desperately in need of passionate educators who understand the importance of meeting every student where they are.

"I hope to become a teacher who helps create inclusive and supportive environments for all students," Perez shared on the Eagle County School District's Facebook page. Her words reflect a generation of educators who see diversity not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to reimagine what great teaching looks like.

The Ripple Effect

The scholarship comes from a foundation that distributed more than $9 million in grants and scholarships in 2025 alone. The organization manages over 330 charitable funds, connecting local donors with students and causes across western Colorado.

Each scholarship represents more than financial support. It's a community investment in future teachers, nurses, and professionals who will return that generosity many times over. Perez's award specifically honors students pursuing careers in education or healthcare, fields where passion often matters as much as preparation.

Special education teachers work with students who have learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and other needs that require individualized attention. The work demands patience, creativity, and unwavering belief in every student's potential.

Perez is excited to begin this next chapter while carrying everything she learned in Eagle Valley with her. Her hometown community helped shape her vision, and now she's ready to share that vision with students who need advocates in their corner.

One scholarship, one determined graduate, and countless future students who will benefit from a teacher who chose them.