RENO, Nev. (June 11, 2025) – Northern Nevada students are taking a meaningful step toward brighter futures, thanks to the Meruelo Family Scholarship—an initiative that not only supports higher education, but strengthens the Northern Nevada community as a whole. During a special presentation at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) on Wednesday, June 11, six local students, dependents of GSR team members, were awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to help them pursue college and advanced learning opportunities.
The Meruelo Family Scholarship was established to provide financial support for the dependents of dedicated team members at GSR and Sahara Las Vegas (SLV). This year, the program awarded a total of $40,000 with the funds being equally distributed between GSR and SLV. Mentorship and education have long been a priority for Meruelo Group founder and CEO, Alex Meruelo, who continues to implement programs that exemplify these values. Now in its fourth year, the Meruelo Family Scholarship has awarded $135,000 in scholarships across both properties to Nevada students.
“Investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor the hard work and dedication of our team members,” said Alexis Meruelo, Chief Vision and Purpose Officer of the Meruelo Group. “These scholarships represent more than financial support, they reflect our belief in the potential of every student and our commitment to helping them build a strong foundation for the future. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and walk alongside them on this journey.”
Grand Sierra Resort General Manager, Shannon Keel, and Alexis Meruelo presented the scholarship awards and celebrated the accomplishments of the six recipients during the check presentation. The following students, accompanied by the parent/guardian, were all awarded $3,000 to $5,000 scholarships and are now one step closer to achieving their academic goals:
- Rebecca Fanuel, accompanied by Zewdinsh Zufran
- Alex Larsen, accompanied by Loann Larsen
- Andrea Domingo, accompanied by Maricel Domingo
- Gaia Yi, accompanied by Kyle Yi
- Bethany Blakely, accompanied by Brenda Blakely
- Kingsley Vong, accompanied by Phuc Vong
The selection committee reviewed a pool of applicants based on various metrics, including grades, extracurricular engagements and letters of recommendation.
As Reno's premier casino resort destination, GSR plays a pivotal role in the local job market and remains committed to building long-term relationships with team members and their families. The Meruelo Family Scholarship program reflects the organization’s vision for providing world-class opportunities for the community members who drive the success of GSR’s operations.
For more information about GSR, visit grandsierraresort.com.
