Samantha Gonzalez – University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (Ella Mae Scholarship Award)

Samantha is a four-time Rockin’ Recipient and this year’s recipient of the Ruby’s Rainbow Ella Mae Scholarship Award. This fall, she begins her senior year at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs, where she has a 3.97 GPA. Her professors and mentors at UCCS describe her as hardworking, motivated, and “engaged and excited to learn.”

An avid and accomplished dancer, Samantha works at the campus rec center and hopes to begin teaching Zumba/hip-hop classes this fall on campus. She is looking forward to graduation next spring, and advises other students with Down syndrome to “keep working hard, dream big and never give up!”

We think that is excellent advice, Samantha! We are so proud of you, and we can’t wait to see you rock it all the way to graduation!