Multi-Ethnic Programs

Ames Scholarship

Meet the Newest Ames Scholars

Since the first group of Ames Scholars arrived at Seattle Pacific University in 2002, 44 students have been offered Ames Scholarships. The first Scholars to graduate became part of the SPU Class of 2005.

 

Below meet the newest Ames Scholars, a group of young leaders who will one day be part of the SPU Class of 2012.

 

Grace Barrios

High School: Lynden HS
Hometown: Lynden, WA
Intended Major: Spanish, Elementary Education

Grace impresses others with her determination, focus, and awareness of the opportunities she has as a college student. She was the only freshman in the fall 2008 SPU delegation to the National Christian Multicultural Student Leaders Conference (NCMSLC), held at Eastern University in Philadelphia.

Carolina Bravo

High School: Kent-Meridian HS
Hometown: Kent, WA
Intended Major: Sociology

Carolina’s infectious positive attitude and smile brighten the day of everyone she sees. In high school, she was involved with MEChA, Varsity soccer, yearbook, Model United Nations, Leadership, Link Crew, her church youth group, and Royal Dreamers, a tambourine dance team.

Zulley Diaz

High School: Evergreen HS
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Intended Major: Nursing

Zulley was a co-captain of the cheer squad at Evergreen High School and tried out for and this year made the SPU cheer squad, a group that has distinguished itself for its creativity, energy, and athleticism. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and work at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle.

Liza Gonzalez Ramos

High School: Westview HS
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Intended Major: Psychology, Theatre

Liza’s second home is in the theatre — SPU’s drama department or working at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Liza performed in a student-directed one-act play in December, and she is also a member of the SPU Gospel Choir. After graduating from SPU, she plans to go to graduate school and get her Ph.D. in psychology.

Kirsten Jones

High School: Hawthorne HS
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA
Intended Major: Elementary Education

In high school, Kirsten made her presence known by playing three sports: basketball, volleyball, and softball. Even with this, she still actively participated in church by singing in the choir, ushering, and serving on the welcoming committee and in the Black Student Union at Hawthorne.

Claudia Luna Meza

High School: Snake River HS
Hometown: Blackfoot, ID
Intended Major: Pre-Med

Claudia is committed to pursuing and helping others pursue careers in health care. In high school, she was president of Health Occupations Students of America, and at SPU she is involved with the newly-founded Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS). She has been playing string bass for seven years and is saving up for a cardinal red Fender bass guitar.

Bridgette Smith

High School: Lindberg HS
Hometown: Renton, WA
Intended Major: Biology and Spanish

Bridgette’s goal is to become a physician and travel around the world. While in high school, she took a look at the medical field through internships at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Virginia Mason Medical Center. Bridgette describes her ethnicity as “Cublackan” (Cuban and Black).

Chanel Smith

High School: University HS
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Intended Major: Communication

Chanel proved her stuff this fall by trying out for and making the SPU women’s basketball team as a walk-on. She has found SPU to be a great place to learn, achieve and grow. Another talent Chanel has is the ability to imitate almost anyone after being around them long enough. One of her goals is to earn all A’s more than once the rest of her collegiate years.

Nayomi Stefanos

High School: New Roads HS
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Intended Major: Nursing

Nayomi is first generation Eritrean and, like most of the Ames scholars, is the first in her family to go to a four-year university. In high school, Nayomi played on and was team captain of the basketball team. She wrote an article about homeless shelters and how students could be involved which were published in a Los Angeles magazine.

Jason Whaling

High School: South Pasadena HS
Hometown:South Pasadena, CA
Intended Major: Business

The most distinguishing qualities Jason feels he possesses are discipline and organization. During the summer when he was in training for track, he would wake up every morning at 4 a.m. to train and workout and then go to summer school. He is already hard at work to launch his business career, working with some SPU friends to launch two ventures.

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