previous recipients

ISABELLA LOPEZ

Graduation: May 28, 2022 from East High School

College: Plans to attend Grand View University in the fall of 2022 to study nursing and focusing on pediatrics.

“ I am honored and grateful to have received the Ema Cardenas scholarship from the Raise the Bar Initiative. Being a college student, the stress of student debt is always in the back of your mind but having received this scholarship I have been able to give my full focus to my education and worry less about the financial aspect. I have been involved with the Raise the Bar Initiative and The Barbell Club since my sophomore year of high school. I actually got the privilege to meet Ema my senior year in the barbell club. She had the sweetest soul and we bonded through some of our group discussions so receiving this scholarship was very special to me. The Barbell Club helped me come out of my shell and learn ways to take care of myself both physically and mentally. Even after high school I have continued to stay in touch with the program and volunteer helping girls who were just like me in high school gain more self-confidence. Raise the Bar has opened so many new opportunities for me and I am beyond grateful to have met such an amazing organization.”