Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Hiremath Student Integrity Prize recipients Damaris Zatarain Espinoza and Jayden Clemit!
At a Veteran’s Day assembly at Ironwood Ridge High School, Reverend James Briney was inspired by the exchange between the veterans who had fought for our freedoms and the educators and students who were now exercising those freedoms in an atmosphere of learning. In his effort to honor teachers and students, Reverend Briney created the Waters Excellent Educator Recognition Award and the Hiremath Student Integrity Prize through the Excellent Educator & Student Integrity Fund established at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona in 2014.
The fund awards a cash prize to both an educator nominated by colleagues for their excellence and authentic inspiration to students and to a student who submits an essay about integrity. “The important thing is that you recognize the presence of integrity when you look in the mirror,” shared Reverend Briney, who hopes to see the awards become models for even more high schools in the future in an effort to recognize excellent teachers and students who explore the notion of integrity.
The Hiremath Student Integrity Prize honors the community and public service of Dr. Satish I. Hiremath. At the age of 16, Satish dedicated his life to serving others. Dr. Hiremath has the mind of a scientist and the heart of an athlete. He earned an advanced degree at an HBCU (Howard) and he is a Big 10 Tennis Champion (Michigan). Satish is a person of integrity who makes decisions on the basis of reason, information, and facts while fostering an atmosphere of good faith. Every year, the Hiremath Prize is open to students attending Ironwood Ridge High School and University High School.
The next nominations will open at the beginning of 2025!
Questions? Contact our Community Impact Team at community@cfsaz.org or by phone at 520-770-0800.
I am deeply honored to receive this award! I thank God for this opportunity he’s given me to share what integrity means to me. The lessons my parents have taught me about integrity have stuck with me every day of my life and have helped me grow as a person. Thank you to everyone who made this scholarship possible!
— Damaris Zatarain Espinoza, 2023-2024 Hiremath Student Integrity Prize Recipient, Ironwood Ridge High School
I am grateful to receive the Hiremath Integrity Award, and I could not only have the privilege of advocating for integrity, but I am evermore thankful to meet like-minded people who value integrity as much as I do. I thank their recognition and contribution to my education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and I will always remember the folks who helped me get there. Thank you.
— Jayden Clemit, 2023-2024 Hiremath Student Integrity Prize Recipient, University High School
