West Students to Receive Life-Changing College Scholarships
Posted on 05/18/2022
Two West High School students have earned the opportunity of a lifetime, and were celebrated at a signing day ceremony at West High on May 18. Thanks to the generosity of West alumnus Jim Ryan and his wife Tracy, Raelea Scott was awarded a full tuition scholarship to Marquette University, and Isabella Campos-Moya was awarded a Bridge the Gap scholarship. These scholarships will be awarded annually to two students from West High School.
“We strive to eliminate the financial obstacle associated with getting a college degree,” said Tracy Ryan. “In doing so, we hope to tap into each student’s passion and focus on the ‘art of the possible’ versus focusing on a limited set of options based upon life circumstances.”
About the Do Great Things Initiative & the Annual Scholarships
The mission of the Do Great Things Initiative (DGTI) is to encourage and assist West High School students to become college-ready, understand the financial aid available to them, and secure the funding to alleviate their financial gap burden. The DGTI was created in 2021 after Jim and Tracy Ryan learned of the limited number of students from West High School that apply to attend Marquette University.
The Ryans decided to create two Marquette University scholarships that award funds to Green Bay West students. These scholarships will be awarded annually by the admissions staff at Marquette to two students from West High School.
The vision for the DGTI is to encourage alumni and local business leaders to form “close the gap” scholarships (independent of the DGTI) that can be awarded to students and allow them to make their dream to attend college a reality. Learn more about the DGTI by watching this video and visiting their website: www.do-great-things.org. DGTI is a 501c3 organization and can accept 100% tax-deductible donations.
About Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Flexera
Jim Ryan leads Flexera, a global, privately-held $400M software company headquartered outside of Chicago. He has been with the company since 1998, in roles that included Chief Operating Officer, SVP of Global Sales, and Managing Director of EMEA, where he lived in the United Kingdom for seven years.
Jim and Tracy Ryan are 1989 graduates of Marquette University, and Jim is a West High School graduate from the class of 1985. Read Jim’s full bio here.
About the Scholarship Recipients
Raelea Scott will receive a full tuition scholarship. She is a West High senior who is active in school and in the community. She is part of the National Honors Society and Link Crew, a program in which upperclassmen serve as leaders for others in the school. Outside of school, Raelea participates in karate/taekwondo and soccer. Her future plans are to attend Marquette University, majoring in biomedical sciences. Raelea has her sights set on the medical field, with a goal to become a Physician's Assistant.
Isabella (Bella) Campos-Moya will receive a Bridge the Gap scholarship. This scholarship is in addition to any previously awarded Marquette grants and scholarships, and any federal or state assistance received by the recipient. Isabella is a senior at West High School. She participates in International Baccalaureate Club, National Honor Society and French Club at school. Outside of school, Isabella works as a lifeguard and teaches swimming lessons through the Village of Ashwaubenon and the Resch Aquatic Center. She plans to double major in Psychology and Social Work to eventually work in the foster care system.