Soaring Scholars: Canutillo High School seniors awarded over a million dollars in scholarships

Listen closely and you’ll certainly hear the result of college acceptance letters and scholarship offers raining down Canutillo High School this year. 

The class of 2025 is not only breaking records in terms of money for college … they’re shattering them! 

Senior Matthew Medina this year has already amassed a jaw-dropping $1.5 million in scholarships offers — by far the most money ever awarded for college to any Canutillo High School student. 

Not to be outdone, fellow senior Benjamin Melendez earned one of the most competitive and prestigious honors in the nation: the full-ride, four-year QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. He will be attending Colby College, a top-tier liberal arts institution in Maine known for cultivating brilliant, socially conscious leaders.

“These achievements aren’t isolated, they’re the result of a collective effort from our staff, our families and a community that believes in its kids,” Canutillo High School Principal Candice Marrufo said. “Mathew and Benjamin are proof that greatness grows right here in Canutillo.”

Medina’s next stop? The halls of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he will embark on the path to his goal of creating a tech startup that centers around artificial intelligence as it relates to education.

For Medina, the scholarship offers weren’t just numbers on a page, they were symbolic of something far greater. 

“I feel extremely honored that I am able to attend college almost completely paid off and complete my undergraduate degree with completely no debt,” Medina said. “I’ll be able to immediately use my degree to  hopefully help the El Paso community.”

Meanwhile, Melendez’s QuestBridge journey has transformed his trajectory. The scholarship provides tuition, housing, books and more, allowing him to focus solely on academics. He plans to major in psychology. 

“At first I was very shocked but as time moved on, I am very grateful for this scholarship,” Melendez said. “It was a very hard and prestigious scholarship to obtain but I put in all the work since freshman year and I am very excited.”

Both Medina and Melendez credit their success to the unwavering support and nurturing environment of Canutillo High School. From dedicated counselors who reviewed essays, to teachers who saw their potential long before the test scores confirmed it, their journey began in classrooms that dared to dream bigger.

“I have had a bunch of amazing teachers and feel very confident to excel at Colby due to my education here at Canutillo High School,” Melendez said.

As both soon to be graduates prepare to leave the Eagle’s nest for opposite ends of the country, their stories have already begun to inspire underclassmen. They’ve shown what’s possible when talent meets tenacity, when dreams are backed by dedication. 

Melendez advises those who come after him to take some time to enjoy the high school journey.

“Give it your all and enjoy your time as well, he said. “These four years went by very, very quickly and most importantly put your needs first and learn to branch out.” 

From the classrooms of Canutillo High School to the walls of MIT and Colby College, the futures of Medina and Melendez are blazing trails, not just for themselves, but for generations of Eagles looking to spread their wings and fly high.

“The path to get here has been an arduous journey but it hasn’t been one without much love and appreciation put into it throughout,” Medina said. “It was definitely a journey I am proud of.”