Shandel Sutherland • May 22, 2025
$30,000 in Scholarships Awarded – Class of 2025
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Helping Borrego Springs Seniors Take the Next Step
Borrego Springs, CA – May 20, 2025
The Community Room at Borrego Springs High School was filled with celebration as 14 graduating seniors received a total of $30,000 in scholarships through the Bike4BorregoKids fundraiser. The initiative, now in its fourth year, is led by Sylvia Maas, ultra cyclist and member of Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs.
Each of the 14 students received a $1,500 scholarship, and one student—Melanie Urquidez—received an additional $5,000 Female Scholar/Athlete Award for her academic and athletic excellence.
The recipients are:
- Valentina Villarreal
- Melanie Urquidez
- Alex Remfy
- Abby Gonzalez
- Jasmine Vilchez
- Marina Carbajal
- Brenda Jimenez
- Ailene Arias
- Gabby Cole
- Angel Garcia
- Jose Arias
- Alani Perez
- Brian Fuentes
- Abraham Arambula
“This is my fourth year working with the school,” said Maas. “The first year I raised $5,000. I gave five $1,000 scholarships. The second year $7,000—seven scholarships. Last year, 10 $1,000 scholarships. This year, with amazing community support, friends, family, all of you—we raised $30,000. I just handed out 14 $1,500 scholarships and one $5,000 scholarship, and none of it could have happened without the support of this community.”
The scholarships will be officially awarded in August 2025, just before the students begin their next chapter. Funds will help cover tuition, books, dorm essentials, and, for commuting students, gas and transportation costs.
In attendance at the May 20 event were the scholarship recipients, community members, multiple members of the Borrego Soroptimist, and Francisco “Pancho” Ramirez, who teaches graphic arts and senior seminar and has been a strong presence for students throughout the year.
Beyond scholarships, Bike4BorregoKids supports ongoing academic mentorship, weekly tutoring, leadership programs, and educational excursions. Many recipients are first-generation college students, and the program provides vital resources to help them succeed.
Sylvia Rides Again—For the Kids
On June 1, Sylvia Maas will take on the 2025 Trans Am Bike Nonstop Check Point Edition, a self-supported coast-to-coast race starting in Astoria, Oregon. Riding over 3,500 miles, Sylvia’s goal isn’t just the finish line—it’s to raise more funds for Borrego Springs seniors through Bike4BorregoKids.
Her journey reflects her commitment as a Soroptimist to empower youth through education and opportunity. Sylvia will be sharing updates from the road on local Facebook groups and bike4borregokids.com, giving supporters a chance to follow her progress and cheer her on every mile of the way.
To support future scholarships, visit bike4borregokids.com. Every dollar makes a difference.
“With riding, we use the term DNF—‘Did Not Finish.’ I fight hard not to DNF. And for you, in school and in life, it’s the same. You’ve started something important, and the goal is to finish. That takes self-determination. It takes drive. I have this crazy drive to keep pedaling no matter what—and you’ll need that same kind of energy when things get tough. There will be bumps in the road. That’s normal. Just don’t stop. Keep going.”
– Sylvia Maas, speaking to the Class of 2025
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