Andrew R. Vergara Memorial Scholarship

Bob and Barb Vergara and family have had a partnership with Powell since moving to the community in 1973.

The ties with community and the educational system are strong. All three of the Vergara children — Mike, Lori and Andy —are graduates of Powell High School, and all three attended Northwest College.

Mike and Lori are graduates of NWC and went on to earn degrees from four-year universities. Unfortunately, Andy, the youngest, was killed in a tragic car accident in February, 1999, in the last semester of his sophomore year. That same year, Bob and Barb Vergara established the Andrew R. Vergara Memorial Scholarship.

“We felt our three children were well prepared with the education and experiences they received while attending Northwest, and we wanted to give something back to NWC,” they said. “We also wanted to help future students so they might have the opportunity our children experienced. Attaching Andy’s name gave our family some continued connection to NWC.”

The Vergaras believe in higher education, whether it’s college or technical school. The experience contributes to life by building life-long relationships, providing opportunities, and learning to complete a process to achieve a goal.

“Receiving the degree is paramount, but, moreover, the journey taken to get the degree is an important part of the educational process.”