MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College students earned a number of scholarships during 2025, which assisted them as they continued through their careers at Big Bend and as they transferred on to four-year universities. 

“We have students who wouldn’t be able to stay in school,” BBCC Foundation Executive Director Parton said at this year’s Star Luncheon. “They wouldn’t be able to do it without your generosity."  

One of the first scholarships was received in April by Running Start student Clair Gilbert, who was selected for the All-Washington Academic Team ranking in the top 16 of 84 students in the state. Gilbert also earned the Coca-Cola Team Gold Scholarship. 

Both of these recognize individuals who demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities in which they live. Gilbert has since graduated from Big Bend with her high school diploma and Associate in Arts and Sciences and intends to earn a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Brigham Young University. 

“It is inspiring to know that dedication and hard work pays off and creates opportunities essential for me to be able to reach my goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in Engineering,” said Gilbert after receiving the scholarship. 

BBCC TRiO Upward Bound Students Jannet Hinojosa from Warden and Alan Amado-Victoriano from Royal City both earned $20k scholarships from Dell in the spring before graduating in June. Only 500 recipients are chosen nationwide. 

The Dell Scholars Program, run by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, is a scholarship and degree completion program that nurtures and empowers students on their path to a college degree. The program recognizes students who have demonstrated grit, potential and ambition and those who have overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of their education, according to a release from BBCC. 

TRiO Upward Bound director Anita DeLeon said both students were selected for showing self-motivation and initiative when it comes to academics, and their success highlights the impact of the TRiO program at Big Bends, which provides support and resources to first-generation students to help them succeed in their pursuit of higher education. 

The largest scholarship giveaway for 2025 came in October at the Star Luncheon, where the BBCC Foundation celebrated handing out $560,000 in scholarships. The event is centered around giving donors and their recipients an opportunity to meet each other and make connections. 

The funds for the scholarships came from various donors and supporters of the Foundation’s annual Cellarbration for Education scholarship fundraiser. BBCC Foundation Executive Director LeAnne Parton said these scholarships have a significant impact on the lives of students. 

Students such as Judah Tadema shared how scholarships not only helped him graduate debt-free, but they also allowed him to put 100% into being the best student he could be during his time in college. 

“Scholarships enable a student to take their minds off the worry of having to pay back tuition and fees and allow them to focus on what’s truly important, and that is gaining an education so that they can go on to change the world with their talents,” Tadema said at the Luncheon.