BEAR CREEK — The mountain community of Bear Creek, located 17 miles west of Antonito, has awarded three scholarships to three graduating high school seniors for 2022. The scholarships are awarded to one graduating senior from each high school in Conejos Canyon — Antonito, Sanford, and Centauri.

The Bear Creek Scholarship Committee raises funds throughout each year from its residents as well as many local businesses for these college scholarships.

This year Bear Creek provided $7,500 scholarships to these three outstanding and well deserving students.

Dalton Romero

Dalton is a car enthusiast from Antonito High School.  He will be pursuing the study of High Performance Powertrains. He plans to become a Professional Tuner and hopes to have his own shop that specializes in tuning, modifying, and building performance cars.

Dailin Estrada

Dailin is the first person in her family to go to college. She is from Sanford High school and will pursue a degree in Nursing. She plans to become a Humanitarian Aid Nurse, and eventually, a Nurse Practitioner.

Giovanna Martinez

Giovanna is from Centauri High School and looks forward to pursuing a degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. Giovanni’s future goals include becoming a Physician Assistant.

Bear Creek has been awarding scholarships since 1999, and as the community grows, its ability to give more help to others in the county has grown as well.

Scholarship Committee Chairperson, Lynn Rezzuti, said that her committee works year-round seeking cash donations as well as new and used items that can be sold at its annual auction.

“We appreciate the many businesses in Alamosa, Chama, and Conejos County that generously donate to the fund, and to the auction each year,” Rezzuti said. “Their gift certificates get lively bidding, often going far over the actual value of the certificate. These scholarships can change young peoples’ lives, and we are grateful to be able to help so many deserving students.”