STEM & Music
Supporting students, like Krista, who are gifted in
music & STEM through scholarships
Krista was gifted academically and musically. While she performed well in all subjects, she was especially interested in math and science, winning the math student of the year her senior year of high school. She also enjoyed chemistry and the opportunity to use her STEM skills to “help solve the world’s water crisis” in some way. With enough credits to graduate early, Krista earned a degree posthumously in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois in 2021.
Krista’s interest in music started early as she took piano lessons from a young age. She picked up clarinet as a 5th grade band student but switched to trumpet in high school because of her interest in jazz band. She also enjoyed singing, making it to All State Choir her junior year, and dancing as a member of El Paso’s award-winning show choir. Krista participated in marching band throughout high school and became an active member and leader in the Marching Illini - a highlight of her college career.
Krista’s academic achievement, musical experience, and investment in others through many hours of volunteer service in her community and abroad earned her scholarships that paid for a majority of her almost four years at University of Illinois. Krista was blessed by organizations that made her education affordable and now her friends and family want to bless others in the same way in Krista’s memory.
We hope the students who receive help in honor of Krista will pick up where she left off and “make the world a better place”.
