Every year, the PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships across all PDK International membership categories – from high school students looking to fund their education program collegiate dreams to educators pursuing advanced degrees to take the next step in their careers. We take special pride this month in celebrating some of our scholarship recipients of Hispanic descent. Their contributions to the world of education are already significant, and we hope the PDK Education Foundation scholarships they received will help increase their impact even more.
Frank Aviles
Albuquerque, NM
State of New Mexico Chapter Endowed Scholarship
“I grew up in a migrant farm-working family in Tulare County, California, and in recent years became a Tribal member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. As someone of Native American and Mexican ancestry, I have always appreciated the need to serve underrepresented communities. As such, I am pursuing a PhD in Chicana and Chicano Studies with an emphasis on gender, sexuality, race, social justice, and Indigenous studies at the University of New Mexico. My plans are to use my PhD degree and academic skills to teach, conduct research, and mentor college students. Receiving the 2023 PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship is humbling and most appreciated. I feel honored to be recognized by the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation.”
Jennifer Lopez
Pasadena, CA
PDK Educational Foundation Legacy Scholarship
I have served as a fifth-grade teacher at PUC Community Charter Elementary School in Sylmar, California, for the past six years. Previously, I taught sixth-grade history for five years. I have coached girls’ soccer, served as a student council advisor, and mentored new teachers. I also serve on the Educators for Excellence National Teacher Leader Council, advocating for educational policies that impact teachers and students. As I pursue my Ed. D. at USC, I intend to improve the professional learning opportunities for teachers of color in urban settings and prioritize the well-being of teachers to support and retain them long-term. In order to make my goals in graduate school more attainable, this scholarship will help me focus solely on pursuing my education and not worry about extra loans or having to pick up extra jobs to pay tuition. My focus will be strictly on her classes, research, and teaching.
Christopher Moreno
Gardner, KS
Kersey/Oglesby Family Endowed Scholarship
I have known I have wanted to be an educator ever since I could remember. Growing up with cousins around me who were educators shaped me into who I’ve become today. As a first-generation student, I’ve decided to go into education to help shape America’s future adults and build a better future altogether. With my passion for teaching, I hope to provide a safe space for my future students to grow as individuals and for them to grow academically. The funds from the scholarship I’ve been awarded will go towards my future tuition during the next few years of college, especially during my student teaching! Rock Chalk!