YumaCats to award over $40,000 in scholarships at free community event
Miriam Ordonez
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The YumaCats will host their annual scholarship awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at Gowan Company in downtown Yuma, and the public is invited to attend.
This year, the YumaCats will award more than $40,000 in scholarships to at least 20 students from the Yuma area.
The organization has been supporting higher education in the community for more than 35 years and has distributed over $1.4 million in scholarship funds thanks to the support of local donors, alumni, and businesses.
But this isn’t just a scholarship ceremony, it’s a full-on University of Arizona celebration. Representatives from UA Athletics are expected to attend, including the Athletic Director, coaches, student athletes, and even Wilbur and Wilma, the beloved Wildcat mascots.
The team will join in honoring local students while bringing some “Bear Down” pride to Yuma.
“It’s really about celebrating these students and all things UA,” said John, a YumaCats member and former scholarship recipient who earned his degree in cybersecurity at the UA Yuma campus.
Raquel, another alum and organizer, added, “It’s a great opportunity to pay it forward. Supporting higher education in our community benefits everyone, no matter where our students go.”
The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. UA fans, alumni, parents, and anyone considering higher education is encouraged to attend.