Tahis Alcantar. Courtesy photo.
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member Tahis Alcantar has been awarded a $5,000 college scholarship through the competitive Girls Inc. National Scholar Program. She is the 21st National Scholar from the Carpinteria affiliate.
The Girls Inc. National Scholars Program selects outstanding young women for exemplifying the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Recipients are role models for other girls who demonstrate a commitment to achieving academically and serving their communities.
“We are so proud of the young woman that Tahis has developed into over the years at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria and thrilled to see her receive this well-deserved recognition,” said Victoria Juarez, executive director at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. “Tahis is as hardworking, ambitious and driven as they come, and we are excited to see what this next chapter of her life will bring as she prepares for college.”
Each year, the Girls Inc. National Scholars Program awards high school girls across the U.S. with scholarships for educational expenses at any accredited college or university. Alcantar was one of 23 girls hand-selected from a competitive pool of national applicants to receive the scholarship.
“I am grateful to have won the Girls Inc. National Scholarship, but I could not have done it without the help of my Girls Inc. mentors,” said Alcantar. “They taught me how to be genuine and provided me with tools that will continue to support me in the future. I will always cherish Girls Inc. of Carpinteria for giving me a second home and making a confident woman out of me.”
Alcantar joined Girls Inc. of Carpinteria when she was in elementary school and credits the staff with inspiring her to reach her goals. She is currently a member of Girls Inc.’s Eureka! program, a five-year college-bound program that provides girls with opportunities to develop and explore new skills, to step outside their comfort zones, and to recognize and overcome barriers to their achievement. Through Eureka, she has traveled to Washington D.C., toured college campuses, held an internship with Dowitcher Designs – where she designed a logo for her father’s agricultural business in Carpinteria – and more.
Currently the senior class president at Carpinteria High School, Alcantar’s long list of extracurricular activities includes the Junior Society of America, Interact Club, Student Association of Science and Medicine, Spanish Club, Link Crew, track and field, golf, and choir, among others.
She also founded a new club at Carpinteria High, Paws for a Cause, which helps raise funds for organizations that provide care to animals threatened by human activity. Paws for a Cause recently led fundraisers for animals affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
While she is still awaiting college acceptance letters, Alcantar plans to attend a four-year university in the fall and study screenwriting and film. Alcantar says the externship she held through Eureka! sparked her passion for the arts.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria also announced today that two of its eighth grade members, Alonda Badillo and Janysha Gamez, were awarded the Girls Inc. National 8th Grade Scholarship. The girls were one of ten Girls Inc. members nationally to score the recognition and $500 each in scholarships from a pool of 35 eligible applications.
“Alonda and Janysha are incredibly committed to Girls Inc. and their education. These awards are also a testament to our outstanding program staff and their ongoing commitment to our girls and their families,” Juarez added. “We are especially grateful for our donors who continue to invest in cultivating tomorrow’s female leaders – and we know Tahis, Alonda, and Janysha are all without a doubt on that path.”
Since 1993, Girls Inc. has awarded over $4.6 million in scholarships, making higher education a reality for hundreds of high school girls across the United States and Canada. Scholarships are awarded annually and are open to Girls Inc. participants in the 11th and 12th grades.
For more information about Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, please visit girlsinc-carp.org or call 805-684-6364.