OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 18, 2020) – The preservation of a legacy is helping one recent high school graduate fulfill her lifelong dream of going to college. Valeria Carreno, an Edmond North High School graduate, is this year’s recipient of the Paycom Software, Inc., (NYSE:PAYC) Barry Cladinos Memorial Perseverance Scholarship.
Carreno moved to the United States with her family from Venezuela five years ago and was unsure how she would afford continuing her education.
“I applied for this scholarship because we moved here a few years ago and my family doesn’t have the same savings other families may have,” Carreno said. “It’s my dream to go to college and I felt applying for this scholarship was how I was going to be able to go.”
Carreno graduated in May with a weighted 3.9 GPA and will attend the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond this fall. While a student at Edmond North, Carreno was involved in a number of clubs and activities, including ROTC, where she was part of the honor guard and trained 14 underclassmen on policies and procedures. She also volunteered through her local church and the HOPE Center of Edmond.
Carreno plans to study nursing at UCO, an avenue she hopes will lead to a career in the medical field. She is undecided on attending medical school after graduation, but is looking forward to the journey.
“It’s going to be great for me! I’m going to be able to have a college experience, thanks to this scholarship,” she said.
In 2018, Paycom partnered with the Edmond Public Schools Foundation to create the scholarship in memory of Barry Cladinos, an Edmond North High School and University of Central Oklahoma alumnus, who was a team member at Paycom, where he served as a supervisor in the New Client Setup department before his passing.
Carreno is the third recipient of Paycom’s Barry Cladinos Memorial Perseverance Scholarship. Karli Spann received the honor in 2018, and Alysha Siddiqi was awarded the scholarship in 2019.
About Edmond Public Schools Foundation
Edmond Public Schools Foundation connects the community and its resources with Edmond Public Schools teacher, student and school needs in pursuit of the highest level of academic excellence. The Edmond Public Schools Foundation is a recognized 501(c) 3 non-profit organization focused on supporting the needs of Edmond Public Schools. Originally founded as the Edmond Educational Endowment, the organization was created in 1984 as one of the first education foundations in the state of Oklahoma. In 1999, the organization formally changed its name to the Edmond Public Schools Foundation. Since inception, the Edmond Public Schools Foundation has provided millions in direct support to the district. This support has funded: new technology, classroom curriculum, professional development, software, hardware, teaching aids, student scholarships, playground equipment, textbooks, supplies, musical instruments, artwork, equipment, teacher awards, and numerous other educational aids. Moreover, the Edmond Public Schools Foundation has developed thousands in indirect support for the district through volunteer hours and organizational in-kind donations.
