Sixteen high-achieving Clark County School District (CCSD) seniors are embarking on transformative journeys to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, thanks to the QuestBridge National College Match program. Each recipient will receive a full four-year scholarship valued at over $325,000—covering tuition, room, board, and other expenses.
Why it Matters
The QuestBridge scholarships provide life-changing opportunities for students who excel academically yet often face financial hardships. Nationally, 90% of QuestBridge scholars come from households earning less than $65,000 annually, and 80% are the first in their families to attend college.
Making an Impact
This year, 2,600 students nationwide received QuestBridge scholarships, including 16 from CCSD. These scholarships connect scholars to universities like Yale, Dartmouth, Columbia, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The program doesn’t just open doors—it creates lasting pathways for success.
Meet Some of CCSD’s QuestBridge Scholars
Dario Javier, Cimarron-Memorial High School
Dario Javier’s passion for multidisciplinary learning led him to Dartmouth College, where he plans to focus on cybersecurity through a unique combination of computer science, physics, and linguistics. As a future U.S. Army officer in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Javier sees this opportunity as a pivotal chapter in his life. “This is going to be an interesting chapter in my life,” he shared.
Joan Li, West Career and Technical Academy
Joan Li will attend Caltech to pursue aerospace engineering. She described the scholarship as a “gateway that allows me to pursue my dreams.” Recognizing the challenges women face in engineering, Li is determined to mentor and inspire younger students so they feel comfortable entering this field.
Kevin Nicolas, Virgin Valley High School
For Kevin Nicolas, a full-ride scholarship to Tufts University in Boston means the chance to study urban planning and make a difference in the world. Nicolas, who comes from Virgin Valley High School, 80 miles outside of Las Vegas, called the scholarship “life-changing.”
“It opened up a whole new world of possibilities,” he said. Nicolas emphasized the importance of a supportive network: “Once you have loving friends, a loving family, and a loving community, you can do a lot.”
The Bigger Picture
Programs like QuestBridge highlight CCSD’s commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds. By equipping students with the resources to achieve their goals, CCSD fosters a culture of opportunity and excellence.
As these 16 students prepare to take on new challenges, their journeys are a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and the support of an entire community.
