Page, Ariz. – A student at Coconino Community College CCC) in Page will be springing to success after receiving a newly created scholarship.

Marissa Tsinnajinnie of Bitter Springs received the first-ever Spring to Success scholarship to attend classes at CCC in Page. The $750 scholarship was specifically created for a CCC Page student to attend in the Spring 2018 semester, said Kay Leum, Director of Special Projects and Grants.

Tsinnajinnie was elated when she heard the news.

“I didn’t really expect to win, and I am just so thankful for this opportunity,” she said.

The funds will help with Tsinnajinnie’s commute from Bitter Springs to Page to attend classes, as well as pay for her books, she said.

She’s currently enrolled in two new “hybrid” classes being offered at CCC Page, which includes instructors teaching at CCC’s location in Page twice a month.

To be eligible for the scholarship, Tsinnajinnie was required to turn in an application and write an essay, which she turned in last December during CCC’s “Get the Scoop” event on the Page campus.

The topic of her essay was “What is the value of college education, and how can I personally benefit from a Coconino Community College degree?” Nearly a dozen people submitted applications and essays.

“We were thrilled with the number of submissions and with the overall quality of the essays,” said CCC Page Director Jim Hunter. “We have a fine and deserving group of students.”

Tsinnajinnie is a Page High School graduate who works at the hospital in Page. She’s currently studying pre-health careers at CCC. Her ultimate goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse, and she wants to keep her studies as close to home as possible. She has benefitted from receiving a number of scholarships from the CCC Foundation during her educational career.

“I’m making my dream come true,” she said.