In its inaugural year, Paradise Valley Community College’s bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education program has named its first two scholarship recipients – Sydney Bacome and Sara Todd – both of whom are set to graduate in the spring of 2025. The students are the first in the Maricopa County Community College District to be awarded a scholarship in the bachelor’s program.
“We are so excited for these future educators,” said Amy Boniface, director of PVCC’s BA Education program. “By taking advantage of this financial opportunity, they can focus even more directly on the program and their studies, making their dreams a reality.”
The BA Scholarship fund is specifically for students in PVCC’s upper-division education programs. Students can apply for Fall 2024 scholarships beginning March 1st, 2024 until April 30th, 2024. For donors wishing to make a contribution to the fund, visit PVCC’s website giving page.
“I am so grateful to have the connection and inspiration of PVCC’s faculty. Knowing they’ve been in our shoes before really solidified their belief in us and our abilities as future teachers in Arizona,” said Todd, who wants to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps who taught for 35 years. “There is just another level of care here I feel from everyone.”
Bacome also referred to education and teaching as “the one thing she has consistently come back to” when determining her future. “I have really enjoyed the program; the faculty are super nice and helpful, and I have learned so many fun activities and strategies that I can use in my future classroom.”
In the fall 2023, Bacome was also awarded a scholarship from the James Richard Forsman - Casey M Durandet K-12 Education Fund, an additional endowment fund supporting PVCC students pursuing a degree in the teaching realm. Created by PVCC Physics Faculty Dr. Casey Durandet in 2021, Forsman was a longtime friend, colleague, and mentor of Durandet’s, working at PVCC from 1993 to 2012 as a Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy adjunct instructor. Durandet created the fund to honor his memory and continue his legacy. She said, “If it was not for Jim, I would not be here at PVCC. He inspired me to follow in his footsteps. He epitomized the teaching profession!”
Donations to the James Richard Forsman-Casey M Durandet fund can be made here. For more information on PVCC’s BA Education program, visit our website.