Desert Club, a local women’s service organization, presented 15 students with $54,000 in scholarships on Wednesday, April 9. Each of these students was recognized for individual accomplishments in academics, school leadership, and community service as well as their ability to persevere in tough times.

The Scholarships:

The scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, were given to applicants chosen based on grades, financial need and community service. All will be attending Arizona colleges in the fall.

The Scholarship Winners:

Corey Lueker received the Desert Club’s highest award of the night, the “Helen Coleman Scholarship” (named for founding Desert Club member Helen Coleman). This Westwood High senior lost his mother when he was just 12 years old, and his father has been incarcerated since he was a young child. He supports himself by working a 30-hour a week job.

“Many people would view these tragedies as setbacks,” recalls Lueker. “As painful as it was to lose my mother, I see them as strengths.” Despite his struggles, Lueker has been able to maintain a 3.8 grade average. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Westwood High Student Council, and has served in more than a dozen organizations. Anita Williams, a school counselor at Westwood, said, “Despite his not having a parental figure or much guidance, Corey has continued to make positive choices for himself and his future. He has made the right choices for himself not because he was told to, but because it was the right thing to do.”

Desert Club president Becky Johnson was proud of all the recipients. “I was so thrilled to see such deserving kids,” she said.

The Desert Club, Active in the Valley for 62 Years:

To date, Desert Club has raised more than $2,000,000, all of which has been given back to the community.

For more information contact Christine Anthony at mcanthony5@msn.com, 480-396-6690, or visit the website at www.christmasideahouse.org.