Alpine Bank awards CMC scholarship to local student

Summit High’s Edeyanira Martinez earns assistance to attend Colorado Mountain College

Edeyanira Martinez
Edeyanira Martinez received the 2012 Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship for Summit High School. The scholarship covers two years of tuition, fees and books for 13 students to attend any Colorado Mountain College campus. Photo Kate Lapides

“Do it for your future.”

Edeyanira Martinez can still hear her father’s words in her mind as she studies, does her homework and prepares for college. Her father passed away several years ago, leaving behind Edeyanira, her three sisters and her mother.

“My father’s words have echoed in my mind since middle school,” said Martinez. “They have been my motivation to push myself and create good experiences out of the bad. Every single day I try my hardest and will keep on trying my best to achieve that bright future my dad talked about.”

Because of her hard work and determination, she is among 13 students from 12 Western Slope high schools to receive a special Alpine Bank scholarship to attend Colorado Mountain College this fall.

Alpine Bank’s Latino/Hispanic Scholarship program promotes diversity in the college’s student body and puts higher education within reach for qualified Latino high school graduates from Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Routt and Summit counties. The scholarship covers the cost of books, fees and tuition for two years. Many of the scholars will be the first in their families to attend college.

At Colorado Mountain College, Martinez will take classes that will eventually help her achieve a career in health care. She has her eye on becoming a dental hygienist.

While in school, she and other scholars will receive support from Yesenia Arreola, the college’s youth outreach coordinator. Arreola, a CMC grad and former Alpine Bank Scholar herself, helps students and parents navigate the college process and find tools for success.

“I’m their ‘go to’ person for academic and personal issues, especially in their first semester when they might feel lost,” Arreola said. “For first-generation college students, it’s really important to have someone that can help support you while in school.”

Creating a better future through diligence, education

Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship winner Edeyanira Martinez
Thirteen recipients of this year’s Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarships were honored recently. In the center is Edeyanira Martinez of Summit High School, flanked by Alpine Bank representatives Noel Hansen (left) and Missy Burns. The scholarship covers students’ tuition, fees and books at any Colorado Mountain College campus. Photo Kate Lapides

Ever since her father died, Martinez has had to work to help support her family. She takes care of cooking, cleaning and other chores at home, and she’s also worked jobs at restaurants and stores. She tries to be a good role model for her two younger sisters, helping and encouraging them to do their best in school. Her older sister is also currently enrolled at Colorado Mountain College, studying nursing.

As a determined student herself, Martinez was in the pre-collegiate program at Summit High School. Her teachers say she’s a diligent student who doesn’t settle for anything but her best effort. In addition to her academic skills, they say her volunteerism in school and community activities goes beyond normal expectations.

“With these traits, Nira has the ability to create a rewarding future for herself and her family,” said teacher Andrea Kubick.

Alpine Bank Chairman Bob Young and scholarship recipients
Alpine Bank Chairman Bob Young (front row, center) is surrounded by the 2012 class of Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship recipients, who will be attending Colorado Mountain College in the fall. The student scholars and their respective high schools include (back row, from left) Levi Ernest, Red Canyon; Natalie Avila, Yampah Mountain; Ana Orellana, Steamboat Springs; Venezia Cuadras, Coal Ridge; Kevin Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Basalt; Oscar Tena, Roaring Fork; (middle row, from left) Edeyanira Martinez, Summit; Maritza Araiza (merit scholar), Basalt; Damian Montes, Eagle Valley; (front row, from left) Dolly Contreras, Glenwood Springs; Baneza Andrades Vargas, Aspen; Young; Heidi Acosta, Rifle; and Stella Martinez, Battle Mountain. Photo Kate Lapides

This year’s other scholarship recipients and their respective high schools are Baneza Andrades Vargas, Aspen; Maritza Araiza (merit scholar) and Kevin Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Basalt; Dolly Contreras, Glenwood Springs; Natalie Avila, Yampah Mountain; Venezia Cuadras, Coal Ridge; Heidi Acosta, Rifle; Levi Ernest, Red Canyon; Stella Martinez, Battle Mountain; Damian Montes, Eagle Valley; Oscar Tena, Roaring Fork; and Ana Orellana, Steamboat Springs.