Phoenix high school graduate earns $2 million in college scholarships

Abigail Irigoyen Castillo looked forward to getting acceptance letters when she started applying for college, but she wasn’t expecting to receive $2 million in scholarships as well.

Castillo graduated on May 20 from Phoenix Union’s Trevor G. Browne High School and is now heading to Colgate University to study political science.

She told KTAR News 92.3 FM that she attended the most rigorous classes she could find.

“Your academics is a big part of it, but also, they’re looking for well-rounded students. So, I did various clubs and different programs in various different things. Like I did some about community service, while others targeted dancing, and I gained leadership roles,” Castillo explained.

Colgate University has a 17% acceptance rate.

Castillo said she chose the New York school because she was looking for a small, academically challenging environment.

She credits part of her success to her mother’s involvement in her schools, which included volunteering and making connections with teachers.

“My mom has always been invested in community service and giving back to the community. So, … that made me realize that I want to help and give back to my community through public service,” Castillo said.

Cartwright School District Governing Board President Lydia Hernandez emphasized that the accomplishment reflects years of discipline, academic commitment and parental involvement.

Castillo was also a student in the Cartwright Elementary School District for elementary and middle school, and Superintendent Alfredo Barrantes SantaMaria reached out to congratulate Castillo.

“Abigail’s accomplishment … serves as an example of what students can achieve through hard work, strong community support and access to educational opportunities,” he said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the title of Lydia Hernandez. She is president of the Cartwright School District Governing Board, not superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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