GRANTS, N.M. - The recipients of the 2020-2021 All-State Scholarship for the NMSU-Grants have been announced - Katelyn Kirlin and Dorissa Phillips.
The Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for degree-seeking college students, sponsors the Grants Branch All-State Scholarship. The scholarship pays for a bachelor’s degree after students have completed their associate degree.
Some of the basic requirements for the scholarship include maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA, enrolled as a full-time student with 12 or more credits, having completed a certain amount of community service along with a letter of recommendation, and submitting written essays. Even before then, students must first be nominated by their college’s designated nominator to apply for the scholarship.
The two NMSU-Grants students went through this lengthy process and then waited a few weeks for the announcement. When they finally received the news that they had been selected for the scholarship, Kirlin described feeling “shocked and surprised” and Phillips said she was “flabbergasted and a little relieved.”
Kirlin is currently a college senior with a 3.9 GPA, a PTK member, and is graduating at the end of the Spring 2021 semester with two associate degrees.
“It felt so nice to know that all of my hard work is paying off and I'm going somewhere and being seen/acknowledged,” said Kirlin about how it felt to be chosen.
“My dad had just recently got laid off after 18 years and I was already working full time and didn't know if I would be able to help my family out and afford school; this scholarship made all of my worries fade away and I could not be more appreciative.”
Phillips is a college junior with a GPA of 3.8, a PTK member, and is graduating with an Associate in Science at the end of the current semester.
“Honestly, I felt it was a 50/50 chance that I would get the scholarship because it is really competitive…. It felt good knowing I received something that I worked hard for. But I can’t take all the credit. I am truly thankful for those that have helped me in the process of the scholarship,” said Phillips.
Both students have ambitious plans. Kirlin intends to finish her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Criminal Justice and Science, and then attend medical school, where she will pursue a doctorate degree to become a Pediatric Oncologist.
“My passion is helping people and that is what I want to do for the rest of my life, especially when it comes to kids who have to fight because of something they have no control over,” said Kirlin.
As for Phillips, she is currently applying to get into a nursing program, and she hopes to continue her education by receiving a Bachelor’s in Nursing Science to become a Registered Nurse.
“I know it’s going to be tough, but I am willing to do what I can to accomplish my goals,” said Phillips.
Both awardees expressed gratitude for the opportunity, and each said she is looking forward to the future.