Pilar Sosa Gonzalez, a graduating student from the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), has been named as the recipient of the 2026 America 250 Scholarship, an award recognizing students whose stories embody resilience, service, and the enduring promise of the American experience.

Award and Recognition

Pilar Sosa Gonzalez will receive a $2,500 scholarship at College Bound AZ’s White and Gold Ceremony. She will attend Arizona State University this fall, where she plans to major in neuroscience and pursue a career in healthcare serving underserved communities.

In recognition of her achievement, an Arizona state flag will be flown over the Capitol in her honor. After the flag is flown, it will be placed in an archival case with a certificate and a formal letter of congratulations from the Chair of the Arizona America 250 Commission, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

“Pilar Sosa Gonzalez’s story reflects the very spirit of America: resilience, determination, and service to others,” said Laura Terech, Executive Director of the Arizona America 250 Commission. “As we approach this historic milestone, it is young leaders like Pilar who remind us that the American story is still being written, and that its future is bright.”

College Bound AZ and EVIT Partnership

College Bound AZ delivers its college access programming in partnership with East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), where hundreds of career and technical education students prepare for both college and workforce pathways.

Pilar Sosa Gonzalez will be recognized alongside fellow students at College Bound AZ’s White and Gold Ceremony, celebrating a new generation of students shaping the future of Arizona and the nation.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.