Scholarship Program
Hearts of Gold has increased the scholarship amount to $2,500 per scholarship.
The Hearts of gold Scholarship Program exists to provide current Hearts of Gold Participants and their dependents with financial assistance for higher education. Applicants participate in a competitive selection process. They are selected through a standardized process based upon their submitted essay, financial need, awards, community service, volunteerism, GPA, and letters of recommendation.
Congratulations to the following 2026 scholarship recipients:
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Jaden Silvas
Throughout his four years at Tucson High Magnet School, Jaden has been a part of the basketball program. This past season, his team made it as far as the final four! Along the way, he met the school’s athletic trainer and had the chance to shadow him during other sports, which is where he discovered a passion for athletic training. He plans to carry that interest into college at the University of Arizona, where he’ll be majoring in Exercise and Extreme Physiology. Outside of sports, he enjoys photography and graphic design, and he will be competing in the SkillsUSA State Competition next month! He also spends time volunteering at Saguaro National Park, combining his love of nature with his passion for hiking.
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Emma Miller
Emma is a current student at Grand Canyon University. She majors in Marketing and Advertising and has a minor in Business analytics. She is a part of many clubs at her school and volunteers in the surrounding community. She hopes to use her degree and experiences to further help communities around her.
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Sakura Olay
“TWX, this is Olay.”
If you have contacted the Tucson Police Department TWX, you likely recognize this greeting. Behind the voice is Sakura Olay. A first-generation immigrant from the Philippines and a naturalized citizen. She maintains a 4.0 GPA in Criminal Justice Studies. Her drive began early as an elementary valedictorian and a high school science silver medalist. Sakura loves the details. Whether she is managing critical data as a Police Records Specialist II or conquering 101 books in a single year, she brings a meticulous spirit to her work and her hobbies. After years of balancing immigration, full-time employment, and studies, she will graduate from the University of Arizona in the Summer of 2026. Following graduation, Sakura plans to stay with the Tucson Police Department to continue her deep commitment to public service.
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Isabella Espinoza
Senior year has been a full circle moment of celebrating a closing of a very busy 4 year chapter for Isabella. She has competed in Varsity sports teams/year round competitive travel club softball team, been proactive as a leader in school through student council and has found that the most rewarding is volunteering in the community. Her most treasured memories is participating in Special Olympics. As a mentor and student player in basketball, bowling and track while she’s been at Amphi has been an opportunity she feels so blessed to have had. Isabella looks forward to going to New Mexico State University in the Fall to continue her academic and softball career. Her goal includes Public Relations in sports or television.
“Thank you Hearts of Gold for this tremendous opportunity.”
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Sophia Gilbert