Young Women of Impact

Young Women of Impact

Young Women of Impact honorees are students from public high schools in Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties who are nominated by members of their school administration for their commitment and dedication to the core values of the Women of Impact initiative.

The Young Women of Impact program was launched in 2023 to acknowledge young women making a difference in their schools and communities, connecting them with university role models, and cultivating a pipeline of future Women of Impact.

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Graphic Blue Ribbon reading Young Women of Impact
The 2023 Women of Impact and Young Women of Impact cohorts pose for a picture after the awards celebration.

With the boost of a grant from the University of Arizona Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), RII can continue to not only recognize the remarkable contributions of accomplished women across the university, but also nurture a pipeline of future leaders.

Read the Full Story

“Through programs like Young Women of Impact, U of A has made sure that students at Sunnyside know that college is for everyone and that they belong, and can thrive, at this university.” 

—Stephanie Ponce, Principal of Sunnyside High School (SHS)

“We recognize the importance of acknowledging young women making a difference in their schools and communities, connecting them with university role models, and cultivating a pipeline of future Women of Impact.” 

—Lisa Romero, associate vice president of marketing and communications for RII

“My family is mostly women, my teachers and counselors are mostly women, and I have always thought of them as having a huge impact on my life. To be given a label that I have given to so many women in my life–one of impact–is something I can’t quite describe.”

—Ana Ruiz Torres, 2023 Young Women of Impact awardee

Read more about the Young Women of Impact program's inaugural year

Meet the the full 2023 Young Women of Impact Cohort

Meet the 2024 Young Women of Impact

Molly Aitken
Class of 2025
Mica Mountain High School

Esmeralda Almazan
Class of 2025
Pueblo High School

Madison Bennett
Class of 2025
Willcox High School

Isabelle Betancourt
Class of 2026
Bowie High School

Phoebe Brown
Class of 2025
Amphitheater High School

Emily Donia
Class of 2025
Sahaurita High School

Brianna Felix
Class of 2025
Nogales High School

Ava Festerling
Class of 2025
Tombstone High School

Ailanie Figueroa
Class of 2025
Tucson High Magnet School

Shannon Frost
Class of 2025
Benson High School

Neveah Gamboa
Class of 2025
University High School

Regan Haynie
Class of 2025
St. David High School

Yasmina Jackson
Class of 2026
Rincon HIgh School

Rose Jacobo Ojeda
Class of 2025
Palo Verde High Magnet School

Jasmine Jesson
Class of 2025
Santa Rita High School

Carly Kaplan
Class of 2025
Marana High School

MariaLuz Lopez Varela
Class of 2027
Cholla High School

Autumn Lunde
Class of 2025
Andrada Polytechnic High School

Trivene Magar
Class of 2025
Catalina High School

Jeanette Mendoza
Class of 2025
Sunnyside High School

Nicole Michel
Class of 2025
Douglas High School

Halima Mohamed
Class of 2025
Desert View High School

Valeria Montano-Valencia
Class of 2025
Empire High School

Lessly Moroyoqui
Class of 2025
Pierson High School

Antonia Ortiz
Class of 2025
Cienega High School

Sara Nielsen
Class of 2025
Catalina Foothills High School

Larissa Petkov
Class of 2025
Vail Academy and High School

Joselyn Pruitt
Class of 2026
Sabino High School

Sylvia Russell
Class of 2025
Canyon del Oro High School

Melanie Thompson
Class of 2025
Flowing Wells High School

 

 

The Young Women of Impact program is part of the Women of Impact initiative

Nominating a Young Woman of Impact from your school

One young woman, or student who identifies as a woman, from each public high school in Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz county, in any grade level 9-12,  who demonstrates the following qualities:

  • Embodiment of U of A’s core values: integrity, compassion, exploration, adaptability, inclusivity, and determination
  • Willingness to empower others
  • Impact on their campus or community
  • Commitment to embracing educational opportunities and defining goals for their future


 

Students must be nominated by one designee from their school. Submissions without a school email affiliation will not be accepted.

At this time, we are only accepting one Young Women of Impact nomination from each school.

Complete the nomination form by Friday, September 14, 2024 .

Your submission should include the student name, grade level, school name, principal information, lead nominator information and a short biography of the student that will be read aloud as they are honored during the award ceremony.

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Please provide a short biography of no more than 150 words highlighting the student’s key achievements, extracurricular activities, and future plans along with your nomination. This bio will be read aloud as the student receives their award on stage.

See a sample of information to include here:

Student honorees will all be invited to attend two special university-sponsored events. 

In the week leading up to the award ceremony, student honorees will be invited to a private luncheon where they will have the opportunity to make connections with the past and present cohorts of Women of Impact alongside their fellow honorees.

On November 7, 2024, we will welcome the students, their family members, school principals and nominating staff members to the Women of Impact Evening Reception and Award Ceremony where we will be honoring 30 U of A faculty and staff members who, through their work, are laying the groundwork for a better future.

Additionally, student honorees will have the opportunity to sign up for a VIP campus tour, and attend curated events throughout the year where they will be able to learn more about different fields of study at the University of Arizona.