New West's Shining Light Scholarship was established in March 2023 when an anonymous donor contacted Dr. Sharon Weir to ask how they could help students pursue higher education. Their priority was to help students in need with the cost of making that dream a reality.
Since then, additional generous donors have contributed to the cause of helping NWC alumni continue their education after graduating from our school.
Ideal candidates for this scholarship have a well-documented history of community service and strong academics (minimum 3.0 GPA and plans to attend a two or four-year non-profit or public college/university in the coming fall).
This is a needs-based, non-renewable scholarship. The amount of the award and the number of recipients varies each year.
Class of 2025
4-Year Colleges
Four scholarships of $4,000 each will be awarded to students heading to four-year colleges to help with the cost of tuition, enrollment fees, books, technology, and living expenses.
Class of 2025
2-Year Colleges
Four scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to students heading to two-year colleges to help with the cost of tuition, enrollment fees, books, technology, and living expenses.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 3.0 GPA and above
- Plan to attend either a 2- or 4-year non-profit or public college or university in the coming Fall
- Community Service experience a plus
Shaya Davidoff
Hello! As I approach the end of my first quarter at UCLA, I want to share my deep appreciation for your generous contribution to my higher education. Because of the Shining Light Scholarship, I have volunteered as a True Bruin Ambassador, began my journey of becoming an educator, and created meaningful connections with a new and diverse community. Engaging in mature, honest, and authentic conversations about various nuanced topics in and out of the classroom has been an incredible privilege. I have learned many invaluable lessons during my short time on campus thus far, from the importance of time management during midterms to social-emotional experiences in my dorm hall lounge. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me reach this point. Again, thank you so much for making this part of my journey possible!
Carlos Monson
Here’s a pic of me and a friend after Nebraska finally qualified for a bowl game after almost ten years. The Shining Light Scholarship will be used over the summer as University of Nebraska partners with an engineering program called Engineers Without Borders. I’m currently part of this club, which is in the process of building a bridge for people in Zambia to help them get across a river to access schools, hospitals, etc. The Shining Light Scholarship has made it possible for me to go to Zambia in 2025 and help work on the bridge and help the people of Zambia. Go Big Red!!!!! (P.S. I hope Mr Straka loved that Colorado game.)
Adriana Moran
Hello! My name is Adriana Moran and I am a New West Alumni who is currently attending the University of California, Riverside (UCR), as a Psychology major! During my last year of high school, I won the Shining Light Scholarship award. I was fortunate enough to be given 4k to pursue my dream of attending college. I used about half to buy/pay for my dorm and tuition.
Sunny McCall
My name is Sunny McCall. I’m a student at Bard College in the Studio Arts program where I study Film and Electronic Arts. The Shining Light Scholarship helped me cover the costs of moving across the country, as well as books and art supplies. The scholarship has been a big help! Thank you!
Nashla Turcios
Hello! It has been crazy lately preparing for Finals during my first semester at Harvard! I used the Shining Light scholarship money to cover the cost of books for my first-year seminar called Global Capitalism and to buy an iPad so I could do my calculus PSETS online. Thank you!
You can help fund future Shining Light Scholars by donating to our Shining Light Fund.