PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and Helios Education Foundation today announced the establishment of the “El Valle Puede” (The Valley Can) scholarship for Latino high school seniors in Arizona. Funded by a $1 million grant from Helios, the scholarships will provide students with financial support for their postsecondary education.
“Through our partnership with Helios, we are helping to open new doors so that postsecondary education is more accessible, and achievable, for all students across our state,” said Sarah Krahenbuhl, executive director of Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. “This scholarship fund marks a continuation of the Suns’ El Valle platform to celebrate Arizona’s Latino community as we empower the next generation and create opportunities for students across Arizona.”
Scholarships will be awarded over the next five years, with 25 scholarships awarded to high school seniors at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Recipients will be selected by Helios and Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, and in the spring, students will be awarded their scholarships during a commemorative college signing day.
“For nearly two decades, Helios has been committed to advancing educational excellence by closing gaps and increasing postsecondary attainment,” said Jane Roig, vice chair of the Helios Education Foundation Board of Directors. “With this investment and establishment of the ‘El Valle Puede’ scholarship, we continue a longstanding relationship with Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and pave a path toward success for students in Arizona.”
Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary education for all students, especially low-income and underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. The Suns’ and Mercury’s longstanding partnership with Helios has provided five, full-tuition scholarships to local students over the past five years.
Helios Education Foundation and Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation celebrated the $1 million grant with an on-court presentation last night before the Phoenix Suns game against the Washington Wizards.
To learn more about Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, visit Suns.com/Foundation or follow @phxoffcourt.