The Powerhouse Wildcat Heroes Award celebrates a group of University of Arizona students who personify the power of philanthropy.
“Anyone who feels like humanity is losing its spark can come and see what these students are doing and hopefully it will light a fire to help others start something of their own. It is really beneficial for community leaders and everyone hoping to find motivation to see these students,” said Javier Dominguez, president of Powerhouse.
A celebration is set for 4 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the University of Arizona Swede Building, 1111 N. Cherry Ave., Room 205.
The Powerhouse was founded by retired entrepreneur Carmen Bermúdez. It is comprised of students and young professionals who meet monthly to learn from community leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals.
Powerhouse implemented the Wildcat Heroes Award — which is open to both undergrads and graduate students at UA — for the purpose of honoring students who are active in community service. There is no minimum G.P.A. requirement for the students who apply, but criteria includes a minimum of 10 volunteer hours weekly for six months.
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Dominguez said the community service can include everything from organizing charity events and working in soup kitchens to starting nonprofits.
“We look for students who encompass four core values: Determination, selflessness, courage and integrity. We had over 200 applications and we differentiate one person from another by relying on these core values in our selection process,” Dominguez said.
The 2025 Wildcat Heroes include Isabella Jean Badar, Macy Lucille Blackwell, Jason Timothy Makhele, Leticia Maoudonodji, Esha Mathur, Ethan Diego McNew, Patrick Kyle Newman, Ariane Higuera Pieere-Noel, Mark Eugene Scarber and Cristina Rebecca Valencia. Each of the Heroes will receive a $1,000 award and at the upcoming event, one will receive the Hero of Heroes Award, which is accompanied by an additional $5,000. The awards are not scholarships, so the students can use the money for any purpose.
Dominguez credits the students—many of whom juggle full or part-time jobs on top of their studies and volunteerism — for holding themselves to a standard of excellence and seeking to make a difference in the world around them.
“These students are going above and beyond the call of what it means to be a university student and what it means to be a Wildcat,” said Dominguez. “They are increasing morale across the board for the community they serve, the morale for others at UA, and the morale within their own families. They are bringing dignity and honor to everyone. It is pretty magical.”
The public is encouraged to attend the free Wildcat Heroes Award ceremony; Go to http://tucne.ws/1s34 to RSVP by Monday, March 31.
Go to https://give.uafoundation.org/ if you can’t attend the event but want to make a donation.
