Congratulations 2020 YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarship Recipients!

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May 5, 2020

The Treasure Valley Family YMCA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2020 YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarships: Maria Esquivel-Rodriguez from Caldwell High School, Sydney Timothy from Borah High School, Carson Moore from Rocky Mountain High School, Maura Catherine Dresner-Pfau from Timberline High School, and Archie Clark from Ridgevue High School.

“It is a great honor to grant these scholarships to five very worthy young people in our community,” said David Duro, Treasure Valley Family YMCA’s President and CEO. “This year we were able to award $27,000 from the scholarship fund. I am confident that this investment will provide amazing returns to society. The YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarship is a key component to the YMCA’s mission to develop successful youth, engage people in healthy living, and instill a commitment to social responsibility.”

Dottie and Ed Stimpson, longtime community volunteers and philanthropists, endowed the YMCA Civic Engagement Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes seniors of high schools located in the geographic area served by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA: Ada and Canyon Counties. Recipients of the scholarship have made significant contributions to their community through community service and have worked to improve the Treasure Valley through civic engagement and action. They demonstrate a passion for and dedication to working collaboratively to find solutions for civic issues (whether homelessness, healthcare, education, environment, etc.). In addition, they dedicate themselves to pursuing civic work (whether career or volunteer) that will strengthen and improve our communities. The award is also influenced by financial need.

Mariela Esquivel-Rodriguez

Mariela is a force for empowering young women. Seeing firsthand the impact of culture on women’s lives, she has used her voice and leadership skills as a Junior Coach with Girls on the Run, as the programming chair for the 3rd Annual Young Women in Leadership Conference, and becoming the first recipient of her school’s Distinguished Student Award in the TRIO Upward Bound program. Her ability to bring people together as a team and to develop partnerships are qualities that set her apart as a model for young women who are themselves upward bound. Mariela will graduate from Caldwell High School and plans to attend Northwest Nazarene University.

Sidney Timothy

Committed to promoting sustainable practices and advocating personal responsibility for the earth’s climate and health, Sidney created the Green Team to bring lasting change to the use of disposable products at Borah High School. Her success brought the opportunity to share her experiences, leading this effort with other local high schools. In addition, Sidney has been an active volunteer at the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Idaho Food Bank as well as with the Bureau of Land Management and the City of Boise to restore critical wildlife habitat lost to wildfire. Sidney will graduate from Borah High School and plans to attend Utah State University.

Carson Moore

Carson is a passionate member of his community, serving both to improve the lives of individuals and providing leadership in the local civic arena. Carson served as the 2019-20 Community Service Chair on the Meridian Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Governor of the Utah-Idaho Key Club, and has served several years as a volunteer at the Meridian Food Bank. Carson has demonstrated his ability to focus on and deliver concrete solutions to community needs. Carson will graduate from Rocky Mountain High School and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Maura Catherine Dresner-Pfau

A high school student with a side gig as a Chemistry Fellow at BSU, Maura Catherine has promoted the value of and opportunities for STEM education locally and at programs across the country. From grant writing to bake sales, she has led fundraising efforts to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. Her dedication to battling cancer and stopping domestic violence and child abuse belies a compassionate yet relentless approach to fostering a better world. Maura Catherine will graduate from Timberline High School and plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania.

Archie Clark

Archie has developed and applied significant leadership skills during his high school career. As a student leader at Ridgevue High School, he has made his mark using an engaging and consensus-building approach to achieving school-wide programs, including the Upstander Program which works to build an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. He has helped organize Operation Guardian Angel at Gowen Field Air Force Base and volunteered as a junior staff member at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar where he strove to empower other student leaders to embrace the power of compassionate leadership. Archie will graduate from Ridgevue High School and plans to attend the University of Idaho.