Ottawa University-Arizona recently announced its Elite Scholarship Program for the 2020-21 academic year.

Ten incoming OUAZ freshmen have earned scholarships in the program’s three categories: Presidential, Provost and Surprise High Achiever.

“OUAZ is proud to provide these awards to very deserving students as part of our new Elite Scholarship Program,” stated Dr. Brian Sandusky, OUAZ’s chief enrollment officer, in a press release. “Recipients of these prestigious scholarships are outstanding scholars, indeed, and we expect great things from them as they distinguish themselves as campus leaders.”

Presidential Scholars receive a full-tuition scholarship, as well as other benefits and honors, up to four consecutive years at OUAZ — a value of at least $112,000. The recipients will be required to continue their academic and leadership excellence throughout that time.

Recipients of OUAZ’s Presidential Scholarships are Damaggio Strevay from Cienega High School in Tucson, a sports studies major and member of the football team; Cassidy Samuelson from Valley Christian High School in Cypress Calif., an elementary education major and member of the soccer team; Alec Ratner: from Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, a psychology major and member of the baseball team; Easton Meier from Northwest Christian High School in Phoenix, a pre-med/biology major and member of the football team; and Rayne Barrett-Smith from Valley Vista High School in Surprise, who is majoring in mathematics.

Provost Scholars receive a three-quarter tuition scholarship, as well as other benefits and honors, up to four consecutive years at OUAZ – a value of at least $84,000. The recipients will be required to continue their academic and leadership excellence throughout that time.

Recipients of OUAZ’s Provost Scholarships are Makyala Holthaus from Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, an exercise science major and member of the basketball team; Nathan Tarver from Phoenix Christian Prep, an accounting major and member of the baseball team; Dane York from Cienega High School in Tucson, an accounting major and member of the soccer team; and Emilia Winans from Greenway High School in Phoenix, who is undeclared and member of the wrestling team.

The Surprise High Achiever Scholarship recipient receives a full-tuition scholarship, as well as other benefits and honors, up to four consecutive years at OUAZ — a value of at least $112,000. The recipient will be required to continue his/her academic and leadership excellence throughout that time.

This year’s recipient of the scholarship is Surprise resident Jordyn Van Metre from Northwest Christian High School. She is a biology major and member of the softball team.

Elite Scholarship competitors were selected based on academic excellence and portfolios submitted prior to the competition.

They were then required to participate in an interview process before the finalists in each category were selected to receive the scholarships.