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Combs Education Foundation

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Our Mission
The Combs Education Foundation supports educational opportunities for students, staff, and families by funding the development and implementation of quality programs, establishing strong community partnerships, and supporting the goals of the J.O. Combs Unified School District.
 
We fulfill this mission by giving in three important areas:
 
  • Student scholarships to Combs High School Seniors
  • Staff Excellence Awards
  • Classroom grants to J.O. Combs Unified School District Teachers

However, we cannot maintain and extend these opportunities without your support.  Helping our students reach their highest potential is of the utmost importance, and we hope you will consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Combs Education Foundation. Should you wish to establish a scholarship fund, there also opportunities available. Feel free to email [email protected] for more information.

Scholarship Recipients
The Arcadis Scholarship was established in 2021. Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural built assets. Arcadis has 27,000 people in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. This scholarship is created for a graduating senior who will be going to college and wishes to pursue and study any of the following: Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, and/or Environmental Science. The application opens in April.  This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Combs High School senior who has met the following criteria: 
 
  • Is graduating in May 2022 from Combs High School
  • Demonstrates an interest and will be majoring in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, and or Environmental Sciences
  • 3.0 or above Grade Point Average
  • Demonstrates strong character attributes such as teamwork, kindness, generosity and community service
The Ashton Woods Scholarship was established in 2021. Ashton Woods’s first home sale took place in 1989 and they have continued building design-forward home thoughtfully selected communities throughout the country, including Arizona. Ashton Woods is known for designing beautifully planned neighborhoods that fit uniquely with
the local landscape, local style, and local vibe. This scholarship was created for a graduating senior who will be going to college and wishes to pursue and study any of the following: Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, and/or Environmental Science. The application opens in April. There also may be a Summer Internship for the scholarship recipient depending on the growth of the company and availability of both parties. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Combs High School senior who has met the following criteria:
 
  •  Is graduating in May 2022 from Combs High School
  •  Demonstrates an interest and will be majoring in Engineering, Construction
    Management, Architecture, and or Environmental Sciences
  • 3.0 or above Grade Point Average
  • Demonstrates strong character attributes such as teamwork, kindness,
    generosity and community service
The Banner Ironwood Medical Staff Scholarship was established in 2018 in memory of Dr. Debra Jamison, a physician colleague, who had a passion for teaching medical students and who devoted her career to elevating the medical profession.  The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a degree in health care. The application opens in April.
The Crossroads Future Community Leader Scholarship was established in 2018.  This scholarship is awarded to  a Combs High School Senior who has demonstrated leadership potential by holding leadership positions in school and/or community organizations and demonstrated a commitment to participating in community service. The application opens in April.
The Dr. Langer Scholarship was established in 2017 to honor former J.O. Combs Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jan Langer.  The scholarship is awarded to a Combs High School Senior who has met the following criteria and completed a series of essay questions.  The application opens in April. 
  • Currently have a 3.0 or above Grade Point Average
  • Be graduating from Combs High School in May 2022 and have attended CHS for more than 2 semester
  • Be attending an in-state college or university
    * Preference will be given to students indicating an interest in pursuing a degree in the field of education.

The Kyle Strong Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 in honor of Kyle Flake. This scholarship is awarded to a Combs High School Senior who has met the following criteria:

  • Currently have a 2.0 or above Grade Point Average
  • Has demonstrated leadership potential through involvement in extracurricular activities such as athletics
  • Has demonstrated strong character attributes such as teamwork, kindness, generosity

* Preference will be given to students with involvement or achievement in Wrestling or Football

The Lorraine Cannon Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 for a graduating senior who has been involved as a student and leader at Combs High School, and wishes to pursue a degree in teaching or another degree related to the teaching profession. Lorraine served as a teacher and role model to many students and colleagues in the J.O. Combs Unified School District from 2012 to 2020. A student interested could be pursuing a degree as a grade level teacher, topic specific teacher, special education teacher or otherwise. The application opens in the spring each year and is in the amount of $1000.This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Combs High School senior who has met the following criteria:
  • Enrolled in a Combs High School the year of graduation
  • 3.0 minimum Grade Point Average
  • Demonstrated strong character attributes such as teamwork, kindness, generosity, and/or community service
  • Demonstrated leadership potential through involvement in extracurricular activities such as athletics or other clubs and activities 

The Mary Ann Cannella Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 and is awarded to a deserving graduating senior who best exemplifies the characteristics Mary Ann demonstrated while serving the J.O. Combs Unified School District for almost ten years. This scholarship is awarded to a Combs High School Senior who has met the following criteria:

  • Financial need for any educational expense
  • A deserving student displaying a commitment to hard work and character
  • Involvement in activities or programs that benefit the school community, such as Coyote Buddies and/or community service
  • Exhibits service and leadership while demonstrating all around excellence
  • Attended Combs High School all four years

* Preference will be given to students who have been impacted by someone with special needs. or who wish to pursue a career working with special needs populations

The Tyler Hedstrom Memorial Scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of Tyler Hedstrom.  The scholarship is awarded to a Combs High School Senior who intends to pursue an advanced degree in Education or Music. The application opens in April.
The Zulfer-Thompson Career Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship was established in 2021 for a graduating senior who has been involved in the Combs High School CTE programs and wishes to pursue a degree or certification in a Career or Technical field. The application opens in April.  This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Combs High School senior who has met the following criteria:  
  • Completed or is scheduled to complete the final year of a CTE program's coherent sequence prior to graduation
  • 2.5 or above Grade Point Average
  • Demonstrated strong character attributes such as teamwork, kindness, generosity and community service
  • Demonstrated leadership potential through involvement in the CTE program's Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)
 

                                J.O. Combs Educational Foundation Board of Directors

                                                 (3-year Term/Max of 3 terms)

 

Position

Name

Company

Term

Board President

Andrea Ramos

McCarthy Construction

(2020-2023)

Board Vice-President

Open

Open

(2019-2022)

Board Director

Kayla Fulmer

J.O. Combs USD

(2021-2024)

Board Secretary

Tara Malloy

Willmeng Construction

(2021-2024)

Board Member

Kyle Davis

Desert Financial

(2021-2024)

Board Member

Open

Open

(2020-2023)

Board Director

Shawn Gilleland

Rural Metro

(2019-2022)

Board Director

Karissa Patefield

Central Arizona College

(2018-2022)

Board Director

Michelle Milton

Pinal County Appraisal

(2019-2022)

Board Director

Steve Jones

Arcadis Company

(2019-2022)

Board Director

Open

Open

(2022-2025)

Board Director

Leo Taylor

Dir. Nursing, Banner Ironwood

(2021-2024)

Board Director

Stephen Pollizzatto

Canyon State Bus Company

(2020-2022)

Board Director

Drew Keil

SPS+ Architects 

(2021-2024)

 

                                                                 Ex-Officio

Superintendent                                                   Dr. Gregory Wyman

Foundation Executive Director                           Dr. Mark Duplissis

Governing Board Member                                  Mrs. Shelly Hargis

 

                                                      Executive Committee

                                                (2-year Term/Max of 4 terms)

 

Position

Name

Company

Term

Board President

Andrea Ramos

McCarthy Construction

(2020-2022)

Board Vice-President

Open

Open

(2020-2022)

Board Treasurer

Steve Jones

Arcadis Company

(2020-2022)

Board Secretary

Tara Malloy

Willmeng Construction

(2020-2022)

Board Member

Open

Open

(2021-2023)

Board Director

Leo Taylor

Dir. Nursing, Banner Ironwood

(2020-2022)

 

*Sits on the Executive Board

 

 

 

 

Contact Us
Dr. Mark Duplissis, Executive Director
Combs Education Foundation
480-987-5300