Since 2023, the Douglas Goodfellow Memorial Scholarship (DGMS) has awarded funds to graduating seniors at Volcano Vista High School. Recipients are asked to use these funds to pursue their post-secondary ambitions. This can mean eveything from having the money sent to their educational institution or furnishing their dorm room. Goodfellow Scholars receive the funds with no strings attached.
Learn about past recipients of this award below!
Sophia Jeffres
Applicant’s Educational Plans: Sophia plans to attend Eastern New Mexico University, the same school her late mother attended. She is excited to play on the ENMU Soccer team.
Quotes from Application: ‘Mr. Goodfellow was my Drivers Ed teacher during Covid so even though I never did get to meet him in person, through our zoom meetings that we had for class he seemed like a very fun, friendly, joyful, kind, and adventurous guy. He was always laughing and cracking jokes with the class. I remember when I would be doing my book work I would always hear his birds chirping in the background. Going to Drivers Ed always made my day because Mr. Goodfellow was always so excited and happy to be there. If there was one thing I took from his story it is that in order to be happy, truly happy, you have to be the one to make yourself happy. If you don’t like how your life is, then you have to be the one to make that change and make a difference in your own life and I believe that Mr. Goodfellow had huge impacts on everyone’s life he was in.’
Alessandra Zapata Hernandez
Applicant’s Educational Plans: Alessandra has ambitious plans to receive her Bachelor of Nursing. In addition to graduating from Volcano Vista, she also completed the Career Enrichment Center’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program. With this experience, she plans to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing from Odessa College, and then complete her nursing education at Texas Tech.
Quotes from application: ‘I like not feeling comfortable because no matter what gets thrown at me I know that I need to look on the positive side of it and use it as a learning experience. I hope this mindset helps me in terms of my post-graduation plan because I know life isn't easy. But what I do know is that I have to take it day by day, and not stress over the little things I can't control. All I can do is live in the moment and make the best out of every day.’
‘Mr. Goodfellow taught me a lot. Not only about English and how to write papers but also about life. […] This advice always sticks with me because it was told to me at such a crucial me in life. I was a junior who knew that she basically needed to start getting her life together but had no idea where to start and because of Mr. Goodfellow, I learned that those feelings were normal. He was always helping me pursue my dreams and would constantly ask for updates on how the program was going and how I was feeling.’
Ashton James
Applicant’s Educational Plans: Ashton will attend the University of New Mexico. He plans to study film and digital media studies in pursuit of a career as a screenwriter.
Quotes from Application: ‘Nothing has come easy for me my entire life. I do not see this as a reason for me to give up though, I see this as preparation. I am ready to destroy the obstacles of college. I am tenacious. I am unstoppable […] I plan to use my unique knowledge of resourcefulness and perseverance in the pursuit of higher education.’
‘I walked into the 5th class of the day. I sat down as the teacher, Mr. Goodfellow, began his back-to-school lecture with a joke. The class laughed. I didn't know this at the time, but this man would change my entire outlook on life.’