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Fulton Homes Awards Three Deserving Valley Kids with Generous Scholarships

Arizona Homebuilder Gives $4,000 to Students Who Turned Challenges into Opportunities.

Three lucky students walked away with $4,000 scholarships toward their college education at "Fulton Homes Be Kool, Stay in School Culmination Event" on Tuesday, June 7th. Douglas Fulton from Fulton Homes awarded the three winners from a pool of 36 nominated students from the 2010-2011 academic year. The event was held at Old Main on Arizona State University's Tempe campus.

The winners included Rachel Kroener, an eighth-grader from Explorer Middle School in Phoenix. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. She's beaten the odds and excelled in school with sheer determination, a positive attitude and her faithful service dog Roger. She plans to use the money to pursue her dream of working in the sports medicine industry.

Eric Espinoza also took home a scholarship. Eric is a sixth-grader at Saints Simon and Jude School in Phoenix. He excels in the classroom even after a risky surgery for a serious heart condition, and a constant battle with ADHD. Eric says he plans to continue pushing himself in both academics and athletics.

Kyle Shahenian is also a recipient of a $4,000 scholarship. He is in the seventh grade at Imagine Prep in Surprise. Kyle was nominated by his mother after he overcame constant bullying by his peers that took a severe toll on his grades. Kyle is now an excellent student with high marks, and enjoys school.

The evening was emceed by Tom Peake, KOOL 94.5 FM's Morning Show Host. The students were inspired by high-profile, featured speakers including former Phoenix Suns star and current KTAR color commentator Tim Kempton, and motivational speaker Joe Epps, an Arizona State University Accounting Professor and the President of Epps Forensics. The 36 nominees were also honored by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal. All three men had some encouraging and motivational words for the students.

"Each and every one of these students is a winner. The decision to pick just three was very tough, " said Fulton Homes CEO Douglas Fulton. "These young men and women will undoubtedly excel at school and life and reach their goals. We are proud to be a small part of their journey. And we are 'proud' to not just honor 'Fulton Homes Be Kool' winners, but all of the students nominated this time around."

During the 2010-2011 school year, Fulton Homes, in partnership with KOOL FM, honored 36 junior high school students on KOOL's morning show. Parents, families and local communities throughout the Valley nominated students who have thrived in their academic successes, in spite of their personal or physical challenges.

For more information about "Fulton Homes Be Kool, Stay in School", visit www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundation link.

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