Meet Our Scholars
Delilah Lopez
Delilah is a single mother of 5 children and wanted to complete her education after receiving an Associates Degree in 2012. She is now enrolled at Colorado State University majoring in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies. “The EWGC scholarship meant so much to me. This was the first scholarship I received when I started my college journey and it really boosted my confidence. I cannot wait until I can pay this kindness and support forward one day.”
Ariana Villalobos
Ariana is in her first year of graduate school at the Colorado School of Public Health and works as a finance specialist for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. Her favorite class is Health Systems, Management, and Policy which has sparked her interest in health policy initiatives for Lation communities. Her dream job is to work in a leadership position in finance while still being involved with public health intitiatives. "This scholarship has allowed me to pay for admin fees that I could not afford. I am truly grateful!"
Leonela Castellon
Leonela is starting her MBA this fall at Colorado Mesa University, building on her experience in leadership, strategy, and marketing. Her favorite class from undergrad was Marketing Research, where she learned how to turn data into actionable insights and combine creativity with strategy to make an impact. She currently runs her own marketing and design business, helping small organizations grow, and after graduation, she hopes to expand this work by partnering with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations to empower communities. She is excited to keep learning, growing, and taking on opportunities to make a meaningful difference.
Ida Peterlin
Ida is currently a student a Community College of Aurora and will soon transfer to Red Rocks Community College to complete her nursing degree. Her academic and career goal is to become a compassionate and skilled nurse who will make a positive impact on the lives of patients.
Cynthia Lotito
Cynthia was born and educated in China. She discovered her passion for Mathematics at the age of 12. She is now a student at Community College of Aurora pursuing an Associate of Science degree.
Carrie Gentles
Carrie is currently studying Paramedicine at the Community College of Aurora, building on a foundation as a certified EMT. She is deeply passionate about advancing her career, with the goal of becoming a Paramedic. Her dream is to work in the Emergency Room, where she can directly contribute to saving lives and providing immediate needed care. “My favorite class is Anatomy and Physiology. The human body fascinates me and learning how all of its systems work together has been incredibly rewarding. This class helps me understand the complexities of the body, which is essential knowledge for both my EMT role and my future as a Paramedic.” “The Her Potential scholarship has been a game changer for me . It alleviates some of the financial stress that comes with education, allowing me to focus on my studies and continue to excel without the added burden of tuition costs. I feel incredibly fortunate to have received this support, which empowers me to pursue my dream without worrying about how to pay for school.”
Evangeline Buchenberger
Evangeline is in her first year at Community College of Aurora. She plans to pursue career within the film industry where she can work harmoniously with others to create films that are both creative and impactful.
Sandy Fernandez
Sandy is in her second year of Elementary Education through Commuity College of Aurora and the Aspiring Educator Pathway program of the Cherry Creek School District. "I'm planning to use my bilingual skills and cultural competency to brdge the gap between Spanish-speaking families and school. I plant to continue serving as a translator and advocate."
Daneilia Whyte
Daneilia is currently a senior at Metropolitan State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her goal is to become a Doctor of Nursing Practice specializing in neonatal and labor and delivery care. "I am passionate about healthcare and health euity, and I see nursing as both a calling and a privilege."
Akelia Reddie
Akelia is currently a junior at Metropolitan State University, majoring in Public Health with plans to add a minor in Environmental Science. After finishing her degree, Akelia plans to continue with graduate work. Her ideal job is working as a consultant in quality assurance on an oil rig.
Ashley Miller
Ashley is super success story. Ashley received scholarship in 2021 to assist with her school loan while she finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Metro State University. She graduated with honors last spring and now is in her first semester of graduate school with a second scholarship from EWGC. Ashley works at the Office of Respondent Parent Council advocating for parents with open child welfare cases. As a single mother of 5, she is adeptly balancing school, work, and family. “Sometimes it’s hard, but I do my best because I know it will pay off.”
Kamiya Washington
Kamiya is in her second year as a nursing student at Community College of Aurora. After graduation she plans to transfer to CU Denver to obtain her BSN in nursing. Kamiya's favorite class is Human Anatomy and Physicology. "I learn something new every day and these classes challenge me in a way that will allow me to be a success." Her dream job is to be a labor and delivery nurse. "This scholarship has been a key factor in helping me realize my potential as a future nurse, and it has allowed me to devote more time to my studies and career aspirations."
Nizhoni Hatch
Nizhoni Hatch is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation and studies biomedical sciences with minors in chemistry and Indigenous studies at Colorado State University. She plans to pursue a joint MPH/MD degree to address the health inequities afflicting tribal populations, especially cancer disparities resulting from environmental contamination. Her passion stems from supporting family members in their battles against cancer and giving back to her community. She currently serves her local Native community as a STEM tutor and a peer mentor to first-year Native students, and she has served as the student coordinator of Native Women’s Circle. She plans to continue advocating for equity in health and research as an Indigenous physician, researcher, and public health leader.
Brynne Ayensah
Brynne is a freshman at Community College of Aurora working on her prequisites for nursing. After graduation she plans to continue her studies to become a Registered Nurse and Nurse Midwife. "My dream job is to be a midwife and I hope to open my own birthing center so help low-income mothers of color."
Haviland Wilson-Stewart
Havilland is currently a sophomore at Community College of Aurora majoring in psychology. After graduation, she plans to transfer to Florida A&M University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in political science. Florida A&M is a historically black college and university, which gives African American students a supportive environment to learn about themselves and their history. After graduating from undergrad, Havilland plans on attending law school to study criminal law. “My dream job is to become a criminal defense attorney. I am dedicated to social justice and advocacy, especially in a political environment that thrives on the oppression and fear of underrepresented communities. There are systemic issues that make people in lower socio-economic communities more likely to commit crimes and end up in the criminal justice system. They deserve a lawyer who cares about them and sees them as human beings, not just people who committed a crime As an African American woman I have seen how injustice has affected the community I grew up in, and I want to make a change.” Financial assistance from Her Potential allows me the opportunity to continue my higher education at a prestigious four-year institution.”
Ana Pratt
Ana is studying Psychology at the Community College of Aurora and hopes to transfer to CU Devver in the fall. Her goal is to become a lawyer. "I am deeply grateful for this scholarship. Your support will help me continue my education."
Sharron Pettiford
Sharron is a student at Community College of Aurora studying Construction Management. She plans to continue with a Masters degree to become a project manager.
Jamisa Taylor
Jamisa recently graduated from the Community College of Aurora and is entering the CU School of Nursing. She has always been draw to caring for people and believes that being a nurse is one of the most honorable positions a person can hold. Jamisa’s favorite class is Anatomy and Physiology because she loves exploring the human body. After graduation she intends to complete her Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse certification.
Evonne Wake
Evonne has known she wanted to be a nurse since she was 6 years old, spending after spending time with helping care for her great-grandmother. She is currently working while in school on an as needed basis help pay for her remaining tuition. She currently holds two PRN roles Denver Health as a Behavioral health technician and Rocky Mountain Childrens Hospital as a Nurse Extern in the Pediatric Surgery department. Her favorite class and clinical’s have been labor and delivery as well as Pediatrics.
Emma Lopez
Emma is a student at the Community College of Aurora studying Sociology and she also works as a Family Liaison with Aurora Public Schools. Once she receives her Associates Degree, she plans to attend Metropolitan State College to continue her Bachelor of Sociology. Emma's long term goal is to empower families on how the educational system works in the U.S. "When the EWGC interviewed me, my self-esteem was lifted up!"
Denise Suncuaco
Denise is currently a student at the Denver School of Nursing. Her close-knit family of healthcare professionals taught her the value of caring. She was brought up in an Asian household where "even a tiny drop of rice could mean a lot of things: diligence, patience, and humility." She firmly believes that empathy is important for nursing professionals in order to be effective in communicating and understanding what their patients feel and need so that they can be treated timely and appropriately. After graduation, Denise plans to apply for a residency program in a pediatric department. "The scholarship helped me avoid students loans!"
Shavonne McKinney
Shavonne heard about the scholarship program while participating in Bayaud’s Day Works program. She is pursuing a degree in Computer Science at the Community College of Denver, where she’s found a new interest in Algebra. After she completes her Associates Degree, she plans to further her education with a Bachelor’s Degree. “The scholarship meant a great deal to me as it helped pay for the lab class I needed to be successful.”
Serena Martinez
Serena is a student at Community College of Aurora where she is majoring in Political Science. Once Serena completes her Associates Degree, she plans to transfer to the University of Denver to pursue a bachelor's and law degree. Her ultimate career goal is work in immigration law advocating for marginalized and underrepresented communities. "The EWGC scholarship has supported me by reducing the overall cost of attending college and allowing me to really focus on my studies."
Dania Mohammed
Originally from Sudan, Dania immigrated to the U.S. four years ago and is currently at student at Community College of Aurora where she is completing the pre-requisites for pharmacy school. She is already a certified pharmacy technician gaining valuable experience at a pharmacy. Her favorite classes are Math and English and she excels in Chemistry. In her spare time she enjoys hiking with friends and making jewelry. "Receiving the scholarship helped me by reducing my work hours, so I have enough time to focus on my educational goals."
Meet Our Entrepreneurs
Amanda Lawlor
Amanda is the owner of the Olive Tiger salon. As a hairstylist for more than 20 years, it was always her goal to open a salon to give the top experience to everyone who walks through the door. The challenges of starting a business during the pandemic seemed neverending, but Amanda kept moving forward. "This scholarship was no small victory for me and helped to provide my business with the proper Point Of Sale system I needed to succeed. This group really saw me as a person. I'm forever grateful and honored to be awarded with such an opportunity."
Jill Layton
Jill owns a business called SURPStone, which uses trash plastic and cement to make pavers, pottery, benches, and decorative stones. “I created Surpstone because I am absolutely obsessed with plastic waste reduction. Every time I threw a piece of plastic in the trash, it would haunt me.” My first sale was such a big win. SURPStone went from an expensive hobby to a real business on that day. “I'm so grateful for the assistance from Her Potential. I am putting the money into advertising on local billboards. The thing about advertising is that when you can't afford it is when you need it most.”
Jennie Montoya
Jennifer Montoya owns Jennie’s Playhouse which was born from her own imagination. “Imagination has always been a powerful force in my life, carrying me through tough times. As a child and teenager, when life felt overwhelming, my imagination became my escape, my comfort, and my strength. It has shown me time and again that with imagination, anything is possible. My passion for childhood development—and the crucial role imagination plays in cognitive, social, and emotional growth—inspired me to create a place where children can explore, dream, and build on this magical tool. As Albert Einstein said, 'Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere”.
Maddie Cataldo
Maya Nefs
Maya and Maddie are the mastermind entrepreneurs behind Blazin' Joe, a firelog company on a mission to turn coffee waste into warmth. Maya and Maddie create non-toxic firelogs and fire starters from coffee waste.
Katie Reinhart
Katie started Refound Goods with a simple but powerful goal: to make shopping secondhand furniture feel as easy, trustworthy, and fun as buying new. What began as a way to connect people with beautiful, pre-loved home goods has grown into a thriving local marketplace built on sustainability, design, and community. The biggest hurdle? Competing with big-name brands while bootstrapping an online platform. Starting a business from scratch—especially in the digital space—takes time, energy, and often, capital. That’s where HER Potential stepped in. The support from this program has helped fuel Refound’s marketing efforts, allowing the team to reach more customers and spread the word about the magic of pre-loved design. About Refound Goods: Refound Goods is an online marketplace for buying and selling vintage and pre-owned furniture and home goods. With a curated selection, verified sellers, local delivery, and secure online payments, Refound makes sustainable living simple.
Nikole Bari
Nikole is the owner of The Source Zero, a soap refillary and zero waste boutique in Berthoud Colorado. Her passion is to educate, empower, and inspire individuals to make small changes in their daily living toward more reusable sustainable choices. Her long-term goal is to develop a mobile refillery service and to expand into a larger retail space where she can host workshops and offer a broader range of eco-conscious home products.
