CNCV Scholarship Recipients

Kylee Tiera Jones

Kylee is very honored to have won this scholarship. She is a recent graduate from Franklin High School in Elk Grove, and she is currently attending UC Irvine. At the moment, she is majoring in biology in the hopes of becoming a doctor in the future.

She loves doing volunteer work and helping people to the best of her abilities. She was a member of Girls Scouts for a few years and participated in many clubs during her high school career. Some of these clubs include Franklin for the Homeless and the American Cancer Society. During her time with Girl Scouts, she also made holiday cards for the elderly and fundraised for various different causes.

While she is proud of all of this, it also makes her proud to know that she is a Cherokee Nation Citizen. Being part of such a beautiful culture and tribe is a wonderful thing that not many people get to experience, but one that she will always cherish in her heart.

Stephanie Mercado

Stephanie is attending her first year at Sacramento State University after graduating from Folsom Lake College with her Associate's Degree. She is majoring in Sociology and looks forward to utilizing her degree to work a lifelong career with the State of California. Stephanie is a stepmom of three and knew going back to school would be a great example to them that it is never too late to get your education. She is honored to be a recipient of the Cherokees of Northern Central Valley Scholarship

Lynda Fae Padilla

Lynda and her husband have been together for 11 years and have three children. Our oldest daughter is ten, our middle daughter is eight, and our son is five. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom. She homeschools her three children and attends school herself. Her goal is to obtain a job as an Employee and Labor Relations Specialist, and she is hoping to work within The Cherokee Nation; however, she would be honored to work for any tribe.