The Nevada Treasury has announced the recipients of the 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, which awards up to $5,000 each to four students pursuing degrees in education. These scholarships support students in Northern and Southern Nevada who aim to teach in the state after graduation. The honored recipients this year are: Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Gabriella Minoletti from the University of Nevada, Reno, Gage Steilman from Great Basin College, and Izabella Silver from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Zach Conine, the Nevada State Treasurer, expressed pride in the scholarship recipients, stating, “By choosing careers in education, they are committing to a noble path, one that will shape the lives of hundreds of students in our state for years to come.” He highlighted the vital role educators play in shaping the future of Nevada.
Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez is a dedicated aspiring elementary school teacher at UNLV, where she maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. A graduate of the College of Southern Nevada, she has received accolades such as the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship and the UNLV Signature Scholarship. Lundstrom Lopez, who overcame personal challenges including undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD, is committed to advocating for students with learning differences. She stated, “My teaching philosophy centers on differentiated instruction, multisensory learning, and fostering a growth mindset so every child feels valued, capable, and inspired.”
Gabriella Minoletti, a sixth-generation Nevadan from Eureka, is pursuing degrees in agricultural sciences and secondary education at the University of Nevada, Reno. As a former state vice president of the Nevada Future Farmers of America (FFA) and a current agriculture intern, she has excelled academically, earning dean’s list honors in both her colleges. Minoletti is enthusiastic about teaching and aims to inspire her future students as her father inspired her. “I hope to become the kind of teacher who inspires students the way my role model, my dad, has inspired his,” she remarked.
Gage Steilman, hailing from Elko, is studying secondary education with an emphasis in English at Great Basin College. He has consistently made the dean’s list and is actively involved in student-teaching at Adobe Middle School. Steilman plans to further his education with a master’s and potentially a doctorate in English literature. He shared his gratitude for receiving the scholarship, saying, “This opportunity reinforces my commitment to education and reminds me why I chose this path: to make a lasting impact on students’ lives, just as my teachers have made on mine.”
Izabella Silver, a fifth-year undergraduate at UNLV, is majoring in secondary education with a concentration in English while also pursuing a minor in human services. Recognized as UNLV’s 2023 Sophomore of the Year, she has shown remarkable resilience in continuing her education despite facing homelessness. Silver emphasized her dedication to educational excellence, stating, “I aspire to grow continuously not only as an educator but as a person and a professional.”
For more details about the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, interested parties can visit the Nevada Treasury’s website at nvigate.gov/programs/kenny-c-guinn-memorial-scholarship/ or contact the Millennium Scholarship office via email at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-477-2667.
The Nevada Treasury plays a critical role in managing the state’s financial functions, including banking, investment management, and various scholarship programs. Zach Conine, elected to his position for a four-year term, leads these initiatives. For further inquiries, the Nevada Treasury can be reached at 702-486-6980 or by emailing [email protected].
