Nevada Treasury Awards Four Students the 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Scholarship

The Nevada Treasury has announced the recipients of the 2025 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, recognizing four promising students dedicated to pursuing careers in education. Each recipient will receive up to $5,000 to support their studies in elementary or secondary education, with the intention of teaching in Nevada after graduation.

The scholarship honors the legacy of former Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn and aims to encourage young educators in the state. This year’s recipients are:

– Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
– Gabriella Minoletti – University of Nevada, Reno
– Gage Steilman – Great Basin College
– Izabella Silver – University of Nevada, Las Vegas

In a statement, Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine expressed pride in the scholarship winners, highlighting their commitment to education as a vital contribution to the future of Nevada. “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,” Conine remarked.

Alma Lucia Lundstrom Lopez, an aspiring elementary school teacher at UNLV, maintains a remarkable 4.0 GPA. She has received multiple accolades, including the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. Overcoming challenges such as undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD, Lundstrom Lopez is passionate about advocating for students with learning differences. “My teaching philosophy centers on differentiated instruction, multisensory learning, and fostering a growth mindset so every child feels valued, capable, and inspired,” she stated.

Also among the recipients is Gabriella Minoletti, a sixth-generation Nevadan from Eureka. Minoletti 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 an intern at Nevada Teach, she has gained valuable experience as a substitute teacher. “I hope to become the kind of teacher who inspires students the way my role model, my dad, has inspired his,” she said.

Gage Steilman hails from Elko and is focusing on secondary education with an emphasis on English at Great Basin College. He has consistently made the dean’s list and is currently student-teaching at Adobe Middle School. “This opportunity reinforces my commitment to education and reminds me why I chose this path: to make a lasting impact on students’ lives,” Steilman said.

Finally, Izabella Silver is a fifth-year undergraduate at UNLV, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in English. Named UNLV’s 2023 Sophomore of the Year, Silver has shown remarkable resilience in her academic journey while facing homelessness. “I aspire to grow continuously not only as an educator but as a person and a professional,” she expressed.

For more information about the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, interested individuals can visit the official website at nvigate.gov/programs/kenny-c-guinn-memorial-scholarship/ or contact the Millennium Scholarship office at [email protected] or call 1-888-477-2667.

The Nevada Treasury manages several critical state functions, including investment and debt portfolio management, as well as administering financial security and scholarship programs. The current State Treasurer, Zach Conine, has been elected to serve a four-year term. For further inquiries, the office can be reached at 702-486-6980 or [email protected].