Thanks to a generous $1.7 million bequest from the estate and trust of deceased member Betty Y. Heaston, UCT was able to establish the UCT Heaston Scholarship Program, which has funded three scholarships for four years each (a total of $48,000) in the Heaston name every year since 2014.

A major criterion for the scholarships is for applicants to show evidence of hard work and overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals. Applicants need to discuss their academic careers and extracurricular activities, and provide examples of hard work, challenges they have had to face, and persistence in the face of adversity. Examples of commitment to community service are also required.

The Heaston Scholarship Program review committee has read hundreds of essays over the years detailing life-altering illnesses, accidents, and events from students applying for one of the three scholarships. Committee members have found the resilience and determination of these students admirable and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s never easy to select just three individuals to receive scholarships each year, but the committee manages to do it. Here are this year’s award recipients: