EDUCATION
Kansas City, Mo., April 3-5. PTK is the official honor society of two-year community colleges and CAC’s chapter, the Alpha Theta Delta chapter, supports students in Pinal County and broader global causes. “It’s honestly kind of complicated,” Allen admitted with a laugh, describing the process to earn her various accolades. “There are so many levels to it. But I’m grateful for all of it.” Beyond grades, the accolades required a compelling application, recommendation letters and an essay that demonstrated leadership. For Allen, that leadership came in the form of her work with Friends of the Maricopa Library, a nonprofit where she managed the Instagram account. “I wrote about how I helped out there and how that’s had an impact in the community,” she said. “I even used data to back it up.” Her experience at CAC played a crucial role in her success, said her mentors. Thanks to the Pinal Promise, a program that allowed her to attend CAC debt-free, Allen was able to focus on her studies without financial stress. That, in turn, helped her maintain the
the Maricopa campus, was named to the All- Arizona Academic Team. Martinez was not available for an interview. “I am a nontraditional, first-generation college student,” said Martinez. The mom of two has been trying for an associate’s degree since 2007. “Life would pop up,” said Martinez. “I had to prioritize my home life.” Martinez wasn’t planning for a bachelor’s degree. Now, this education major has her tuition and books paid for. “This is life changing,” she said. “It allows me to finish something greater that I thought possible. It allows me to be the greatest teacher I can be.” Statewide, some 60 students earned All- Arizona Academic Team honors, including CAC students Carina Tapia and Crystal Varney, who were recognized as Coca-Cola Bronze Scholars. Tapia will pursue a master’s in clinical social work, while Varney plans to complete a bachelor of science in nursing. All four will be recognized at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in
high grades required for PTK, the international honor society through which she discovered these scholarship opportunities. “Because of Pinal Promise, I had the opportunity to do well and actually apply for this scholarship,” she said. Since 2001, the Pinal Promise program has been available to students who graduate from high schools in Pinal County. The tuition is paid by the college through public funds and through the CAC Foundation, the 501(c)(3) fundraising prong. Allen, a self-styled history buff, will transfer to the NAU Honors College in August. Her ultimate goal? A Ph.D. in history, with a specialization in social history, studying the lived experiences of marginalized communities. “I want to be a history professor,” she said. “I’d love to teach women’s history or anthropology.” As she prepares for this next chapter, Allen said she is already making plans for her move to a college dorm. “My birthday is coming up, and all I asked for was dorm decorations,” she said. “I can’t wait.”
HOW PINAL PROMISE WORKS
JASMINE MARTINEZ
The Pinal Promise (formerly known as Promise for the Future) “aims to make higher education accessible and encourage students to pursue college degrees or certificates.” The scholarship provides two years of free tuition at Central Arizona College for eligible high school graduates in Pinal County. The “last dollar” scholarship covers remaining tuition costs after financial aid is applied. Students must enroll full-time and meet renewal requirements, including maintaining a 2.0 GPA and completing at least nine credits per semester. No high school GPA is required to apply.
Age: 36 Family: I’m the oldest of seven siblings.
Pets: No pets. Being mom to two teenagers keeps me busy enough. Favorite teacher: My junior high school teacher Mrs. LoCicero is my favorite and still a staple in my life. Favorite genre: I love to listen to R&B and jazz. Favorite food: Jamaican and Italian
Kenzie Allen speaks at A Night of Stars Gala in Maricopa Feb. 21.
For students hoping to follow in her footsteps, Allen has some advice: “Start early,” she said. “Get more recommendation letters than you need— then you can pick the best ones. And work on something big in your community for at least a year. Leadership experience makes all the difference.”
Kenzie Allen delivers her Pinal Promise speech at A Night of Stars Feb. 21.
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InMaricopa.com | April 2025
April 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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