Local high school senior Denia Breaux was awarded a Meritus College Fund scholarship from Zephyr Real Estate at their 22nd annual Awards Reception. The event was held at the KQED offices on Wednesday, May 30, and Zephyr was once again there to advance education in the Bay Area.

Denia is a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, graduating with a 3.0 GPA and a powerful ambition to become a medical doctor. Her academic interests include pediatrics, neurology and endocrinology. She describes her journey to college as a difficult one due to excessive shyness and a lack of self-esteem. When she entered high school, she realized changes needed to be made in order to achieve her goals. She began building relationships and emerging from her cocoon with a fierce drive for success.

Denia pursued a Meritus scholarship for reasons beyond tuition. Meritus Scholars also receive individualized advising, mentoring, and career guidance throughout their college experience to assist them in reaching their maximum potential. Denia will attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., and will be the first in her family to attend college.

Meritus College Fund was established in 1996 to provide scholarships and support to economically disadvantaged, highly motivated students. Meritus empowers Bay Area youth who possess the grit and ambition to achieve a college degree and prepare to enter the professional workforce. Over 700 local students have received nearly $10 million in scholarship assistance alone. An impressive 87 percent of Meritus Scholars graduate college compared to the national average of just 23 percent for populations of similar backgrounds

“We are supporters of Meritus and the wonderful work they do in our community,” commented Randall Kostick, President and CEO of Zephyr. “Seeing the determination of these young people to fulfill their goals renews one’s faith in the future.” Zephyr was one of only three scholarship supporters present at the event with over 10 years of continuous support.

Meritus College Fund is supported through donations from hundreds of individuals and groups who support the work of Meritus to offer opportunities to those who might otherwise be overlooked. To learn more about participating or applying, visit the website at www.meritus.org.