"Pilar’s story reflects the very spirit of America: resilience, determination, and service to others." — Laura Terech, Executive Director of the Arizona America 250 Commission.
College Bound AZ announces that EVIT student and RISE Scholar Pilar Sosa Gonzalez received the 2026 America 250 Scholarship, honoring resilience, service, and leadership. Pilar will receive a $2,500 award at the May 8 White and Gold Ceremony and attend Arizona State University to study neuroscience. In recognition, an Arizona state flag will be flown over the Capitol in her honor as part of the America 250 commemoration.
Pilar Sosa Gonzalez, 2026 Rise Scholar from East Valley Institute of Technology, honored May 8, 2026 in association with College Bound AZ and the Arizona America 250 Commission.
Mesa, AZ - College Bound AZ announces that RISE Scholar Pilar Sosa Gonzalez, a graduating student from the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), has been named as the recipient of the 2026 America 250 Scholarship, an award recognizing students whose stories embody resilience, service, and the enduring promise of the American experience.
Pilar Sosa Gonzalez will receive a $2,500 scholarship at College Bound AZ’s White and Gold Ceremony on May 8, held on the EVIT campus. She will attend Arizona State University this fall, where she plans to major in neuroscience and pursue a career in healthcare serving underserved communities.
In recognition of her achievement, an Arizona state flag will be flown over the Capitol in her honor. After the flag is flown, it will be placed in an archival case with a certificate and a formal letter of congratulations from the Chair of the Arizona America 250 Commission, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.
The scholarship is part of the national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and is supported in Arizona by the Arizona America 250 Commission.
"Pilar Sosa Gonzalez’s story reflects the very spirit of America: resilience, determination, and service to others," said Laura Terech, Executive Director of the Arizona America 250 Commission. "As we approach this historic milestone, it is young leaders like Pilar who remind us that the American story is still being written, and that its future is bright."
"Pilar Sosa Gonzalez's journey reflects the power of what happens when determination meets opportunity," said Elizabeth Paulus, founder of College Bound AZ. "Through our partnership with EVIT, we are not only preparing students for college, but empowering them to lead, serve, and transform their communities."
College Bound AZ delivers its college access programming in partnership with East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), where hundreds of career and technical education students prepare for both college and workforce pathways.
Pilar Sosa Gonzalez will be recognized alongside fellow students at College Bound AZ’s White and Gold Ceremony on May 8, 2026, at EVIT, celebrating a new generation of students shaping the future of Arizona and the nation.
About College Bound AZ
Established in 2010, College Bound AZ is a nonprofit dedicated to helping underrepresented students access and succeed in higher education through scholarships, guidance, and support. Serving the Greater Phoenix area, the organization supports approximately 750 students annually on their journey to and through college.
College Bound AZ is a registered 501(c)(3) and an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization, making all donations eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit as allowed by law.
For more information please contact:
Media Contact
Company Name: College Bound AZ
Contact Person: Elizabeth Paulus
Email:
Phone: 602-550-3161
City: Mesa
State: Arizona
Country: United States
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