Scholar Stories
From Borrego Springs to Sonography
Posted
Six terms of community college, two states, and a career in diagnostic medical sonography coming into view. Daniela Carmona’s hometown is still traveling with her.
When Borrego Springs High School alumna Daniela Carmona wrote a thank-you note to BASIC, she summed up something many local students feel but rarely say out loud: without help from her hometown, college might not have been possible.
Now living in Tyler, Texas and attending Tyler Junior College, Daniela is working steadily toward a career in diagnostic medical sonography, with plans to complete her program in 2027 if she is accepted into the 24-month training track. Her path has already taken her through six full terms of community college, four at College of the Desert and two (and counting) at Tyler Junior College, as she builds the prerequisites she needs.
“I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the BASIC General Scholarship,” Daniela wrote. She shared that BASIC’s support has gone beyond tuition, helping her pay for books, transportation, and supplies, all of which can quietly make or break a semester. For a Borrego Springs graduate living hundreds of miles away, the community’s belief in her is still traveling with her.
- Borrego Springs HighGraduate and BASIC start-school scholar
- College of the DesertFour terms of prerequisites
- Tyler Junior CollegeTwo terms and counting, in Texas
- Sonography program24-month track, finishing in 2027
Why it matters in Borrego, right now
BASIC’s board, staff, and volunteers often point out that for rural students the toughest part of college isn’t always getting in; it’s staying in. Long commutes, rising costs, and limited local work opportunities can quickly force students to drop classes or abandon programs altogether, especially if they are the first in their family to pursue higher education.
Yet the numbers tell an encouraging story: the overwhelming majority of BASIC’s stay-in-school scholars have maintained strong grade point averages while persisting through challenges. Daniela’s ongoing journey, from Borrego Springs to College of the Desert to Tyler Junior College and toward a sonography program, captures what BASIC hopes for every applicant: that a local scholarship can be the bridge between “I’d like to…” and “I’m doing it.”
A local scholarship can be the bridge between “I’d like to…” and “I’m doing it.”
Two kinds of support
BASIC scholarships support a wide range of educational paths, including vocational certificates, community college, and four-year universities. Awards help with core education costs and the other barriers that often stand between students and their goals.
- Start-School scholarships
- For students just beginning their postsecondary education: current Borrego Springs High School seniors headed to college, university, or vocational training.
- Stay-In-School scholarships
- For past recipients like Daniela who are continuing their studies and need ongoing help. Former BSHS students and Borrego Springs adult learners who have lived or worked in the district for at least a year are eligible.
- Named scholarships
- Special awards that recognize academic excellence or support specific fields such as healthcare, science, business, and education.
Applications open March 2
The scholarship window for the 2026–2027 academic year runs from March 2 through March 13, 2026, and every application is submitted online. Review eligibility, FAQs and the timeline now so you are ready the moment the forms go live. Community members who want to fuel more stories like Daniela’s can also learn how to support or create a named scholarship.
Scholarships at BASIC