Noah Spalding, Payson High School Graduate, May 2026
Noah Spalding is a strong example of the quality and impact of Payson’s educational system. Arriving in 2018, he attended Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) and Julia Randall (JRE) before entering Payson High School with great energy and involvement. On the sports field, he played defensive lineman for the Longhorns and ran track where as track team captain, he and his teammates – Marco Guereque, Braddock Flaherty, Mason Herrera – placed third in State in the 4 x100 Relay. As the long snapper on the PHS football team, he received second team All-Region recognition.
But sports were not his only involvement. “I love people and have always been curious about talking to people with different points of view than my own,” he said. He is active in DECA, which prepares emerging leaders for college and careers, and in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also serves as a youth leader for ministries in Young Life and Wyld Life, a Christian outreach program for high school and middle school students.
Michael Breeze, faculty member at Payson High School, observed, “Noah has a gift for authentic connection, patience, and guidance. He inspires others through his consistent commitment and the comforting atmosphere he seeks to create. He does nothing halfway, but what sets him apart is his humility and curiosity.”
If sports and volunteer work haven’t kept him busy enough, Noah also spends time in an internship with Pioneer Title in Payson. According to his supervisor, “Noah provides a youthful perspective to a variety of programs and has been instrumental in integrating traditional real estate practices with modern marketing strategies.”
He plans to remain active in all his current activities as he begins his college career next fall at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. He might be involved in the GCU track team, but he thinks his pre-med focus in Bio-Medical Engineering will probably keep him very occupied. “I have a heart for those who can’t find a remedy for their health problems,” he shared. “So, I want to pursue studies in Endocrinology and explore holistic approaches to medicine.” He will have a solid start at GCU with 42 dual-credit hours transferring through his participation in the Aspire Arizona Foundation (AAF) dual-credit program. His $5,000 AAF scholarship combined with the Canyon Rising Honors Scholarship from GCU will help him get off to a strong start.
“I am so thankful to Aspire Arizona Foundation,” Noah added. “I have talked to friends in other places and none of them have a program like Aspire. We are so fortunate to have a community that is supporting our education.”
Kassandra Apodaca Vega , Payson High School and Gila Community College Graduate, May 2026
A senior at Payson High School this past year, Kassandra Apodaca Vega credits the Aspire Arizona Foundation and the dual-credit program with changing the trajectory of her life. By providing a pathway to free college courses, the program has allowed her to earn an Associate of Arts degree in General Education alongside with her high school diploma. For Kassandra, the program is about more than just credit hours; it is a catalyst for life changing opportunities. And she has taken full advantage of it!
Reflecting on the impact of Aspire, she emphasized the empowerment it provides students. “The ability to take free college classes has provided us a chance to empower our lives,“ she noted during a speech expressing her gratitude to the program’s donors at our annual Aspire Scholars Breakfast at The Rim Club.
Coming from a family where her parents were unable to pursue their own higher education, the program holds deep personal significance for Kassandra. She describes how the opportunity allowed her and her older brothers to jumpstart their collegiate paths without placing a financial burden on their family. She expressed how this support has been vital, noting, being able to start this affordably has made the extra work worth it.
Kassandra’s success has been bolstered by dedicated educators like Ms. Tamara Fowler and Dr. Melanie Russell, who encouraged her growth in writing and critical thinking. The time in their dual-credit classes gave her added confidence. As she transitions to university life, she recognizes the collective effort behind her academic achievements. Looking back on her high school experience, she expressed deep gratitude for those who championed her education. “I will never forget the support that has been provided to me through my high school years” Kassandra said.
With over 60 college credits in hand, and several certificates as well, Kassandra is ready to embrace her next chapter at Arizona State University as a Sun Devil, standing as a testament to the transformative power of community support and academic ambition.
Hayze Chilson, Payson High School Graduate, May 2021
My name is Hayze Chilson. I was the salutatorian and student body vice president for the Payson High School Class of 2021, which is a
fancy way of saying I am the proud runner-up of my class!
Thank you to the Aspire Arizona Foundation donors for your contributions, ensuring that students from our community are afforded the opportunity to get a head start on their education and become leaders of the next generation. To meet the moments of the 21st century, I truly believe that leaders must possess innate, community-oriented people skills—skills you often find in abundance in small towns. However, far too often, kids from rural areas are written off due to a lack of educational opportunities. What the foundation has done is remove those barriers, giving students from Payson increased economic mobility—mobility that allows us to reinvest in this community and continue the cycle of creating opportunities for the next generation. Donors, your impact on Rim Country cannot be overstated. Thank you!
Looking back at what I’ve achieved and experienced in my life thus far, the foundation has been fundamental in shaping who I’ve become. I was born and raised here in the area and am a proud descendant of one of Payson’s founding families. When I was in middle school, politics and keeping up with the news was still a nerdy thing, and I had my heart set on going to college in Washington, D.C. As I went through high school, dual-credit classes served as the vehicle to build and sustain my analytical thinking skills, helping me demonstrate that I understood and believed the “why” behind my thinking, something I knew would ultimately give me an edge in interviews, admissions and essays down the road.
In January 2024, I graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, where I double majored in Political Communication and Political Science. Of the 130 credits required for my degree, 49 were dual credits earned at Payson High School through transfer coursework—all of which transferred! Although I didn’t realize it when I began taking dual credit classes as a high school sophomore, those early credits ultimately made it possible for me to graduate a year and a half early. Without that head start, attending school in Washington, D.C., even with substantial academic scholarships, would not have been financially feasible. Simply put, without Aspire, achieving my academic goals would not have been possible.
After graduating from college, I began working for an international development think tank based in D.C. A highlight of that experience, at just 21 years old, was serving as the de facto communications director and organizing an event alongside the G20 in South Africa, where we hosted the Queen of the Netherlands. After a little under two years, I realized my passions lie in education and moved back home to begin substitute teaching. Next month, I will start school to earn my teaching certificate, with eventual plans for advanced degrees.
Dual-credit classes can help students graduate from college early and enter adulthood with the advantage of a reasonably priced degree and less student loan debt, something that often constrains graduates to jobs they may not enjoy. Donors, your investment does not end with one student; it carries forward into classrooms, careers, and communities for years to come. Thank you for making that impact.
Dr. Melanie Russell, Payson High School Dual Enrollment Instructor
Investing in Potential: Why ASPIRE Arizona Matters More Than Ever
As a GCC professor here in Rim Country, I have the privilege of working with students who are doing something extraordinary: earning college credit while still in high school. Many of these students are the first in their families to imagine a future that includes higher education. Their motivation is strong, their curiosity is real—and their success is made possible, in large part, by ASPIRE Arizona.
ASPIRE funds are not abstract dollars on a balance sheet. I see their impact every day in my classroom. These funds directly support tuition assistance and course materials that allow students — especially those from rural, low-income, and historically underserved communities — to participate in dual enrollment programs. Without ASPIRE funding, many of these students simply would not be able to take that first step into college.
When students enroll in a dual credit course, they are not only saving money on tuition; they are gaining confidence. They begin to see themselves as college students. ASPIRE funds help cover the costs that often stand in the way: enrollment fees, textbooks, online learning platforms, and the behind-the-scenes coordination required to align high school and college systems. These investments remove barriers and replace them with opportunity.
The return on investment is powerful. Students who complete dual enrollment courses are more likely to persist in college, complete degrees on time, and reduce overall student loan debt. For families, this can mean thousands of dollars in savings. For communities, it means a more educated workforce. For students, it means options—choices they may not have believed were possible before.
ASPIRE Arizona donors make this transformation possible. Your generosity sends a clear message to students: You belong here. Your education matters. Continued support ensures that ASPIRE can reach more students, expand access in rural and tribal communities, and respond to growing demand for dual enrollment opportunities across Arizona.
As someone who teaches these students and witnesses their growth firsthand, I can say with certainty that ASPIRE funding is an investment with lasting impact. Every dollar donated helps create pathways to higher education, economic mobility, and a stronger Arizona. Thank you for believing in our students—and for helping them believe in themselves.
Dr. Melanie Russell
English Professor, GCC