Nevada Treasury Awards 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarships

The Nevada Treasury has announced the recipients of the 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, recognizing four outstanding students committed to pursuing careers in education in Nevada. Each recipient will receive up to $5,000 to support their studies, which focus on elementary or secondary education. This year’s scholarship winners are: Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez and Izabella Silver from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Gabriella Minoletti from the University of Nevada, Reno, and Gage Steilman from Great Basin College.

Celebrating Future Educators

State Treasurer Zach Conine expressed pride in the scholarship recipients, stating, “We want to congratulate and reiterate how proud we are of the remarkable recipients of the 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship. 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.”

The scholarship honors the legacy of former Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn, who was a strong advocate for education and student support. This initiative aims to encourage future educators who will positively impact the community.

Profiles of the Recipients

Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez, an aspiring elementary school teacher at UNLV, stands out with a perfect 4.0 GPA. A high-honors graduate of the College of Southern Nevada, she has received several prestigious awards, including the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. Having faced challenges such as undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD in her early schooling, Lundstrom Lopez is dedicated 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 UNR. A former vice president of the Nevada Future Farmers of America (FFA) and current agriculture intern, she has consistently made the dean’s list. Minoletti is gaining experience as a substitute teacher and aims to inspire her students about agriculture, leadership, and community. “As I enter my last year of undergrad, I look forward to stepping into the classroom full-time,” she said.

Gage Steilman, from Elko, is focusing on a secondary education degree with an emphasis in English at Great Basin College. He has made the dean’s list every semester and is currently student-teaching at Adobe Middle School while contributing to the Elko High School speech and debate program. After graduation, Steilman intends to pursue a master’s and possibly a doctorate in English literature. He remarked, “I am grateful not only to be considered but to be selected as a recipient of the Memorial Scholarship. This opportunity reinforces my commitment to education.”

Izabella Silver, a fifth-year undergraduate at UNLV, is majoring in secondary education with a concentration in English and a minor in human services. She has shown remarkable resilience, continuing her studies while experiencing homelessness. Recognized as UNLV’s 2023 Sophomore of the Year, Silver is dedicated to educational excellence and social impact. “I aspire to grow continuously not only as an educator but as a person and a professional,” she stated.

For further information on the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, interested parties can visit the Nevada Treasury’s official website or contact the Millennium Scholarship office at 1-888-477-2667.

About the Nevada Treasury

The Nevada Treasury plays a vital role in the state’s financial management, overseeing banking and transaction management, investment portfolios, and various scholarship programs. The State Treasurer, elected for a four-year term, is currently Zach Conine. For inquiries, the office can be reached at 702-486-6980 or via email at [email protected].