In tribute to the enduring legacy of Elaine P. Wynn on what would have been her 84th birthday, Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS), part of the nation’s leading evidence-based dropout prevention nonprofit organization serving 117 schools in the Clark, Elko, Humboldt, and Washoe County school districts, has announced the fifth annual recipient of the Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship. The four-year scholarship was created for CIS case-managed high school seniors and is powered by PlaySTUDIOS Las Vegas.
This year’s scholarship recipient is Dayana Diaz-Montano, a graduating 11th grader from Sparks High School. Selected for her resilience, determination, and commitment to her future, Diaz-Montano has navigated significant personal challenges, including the loss of close family members and health-related obstacles during her high school years, while maintaining focus on her academic goals. With a weighted GPA of 4.1 last semester, and on track to graduate early as a junior thanks to taking Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, she also finds time to give back, regularly supporting her peers and volunteering as a tutor for younger students in her community.
The Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship awards up to $10,000, paid in increments of up to $2,500 per year over 4 years. The scholarship is paid directly to the educational institution and can be used toward full-time enrollment at an accredited college, university, community college, or trade school. Renewal and annual payments are contingent upon meeting scholarship requirements, including maintaining a 2.0 GPA and demonstrating continued academic progress.
CIS of Nevada received over 70 applications for this year’s scholarship. The application included a personal essay about how post-secondary education will contribute to the student’s academic and/or career goals and what drives them to pursue continued education.
Diaz-Montano plans to pursue higher education at a local northern Nevada college with aspirations to build a career in immigration law and public affairs, where she hopes to advocate for others and create positive change in her community.
“Each year, this scholarship represents what’s possible when students are surrounded with the right support and opportunities,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and state director, Communities In Schools of Nevada. “On what would have been Elaine’s 84th birthday, we are especially proud to honor her legacy by investing in Dayana, a student who’s graduating a whole year early! Her hard work reflects the very values Elaine championed. This scholarship is not just about recognizing achievement, it’s about opening doors and helping students build the futures they deserve.”
The Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship was established in 2021 in honor of CIS of Nevada founder, Elaine Wynn. It is sustained through generous contributions from supporters who share their commitment to student success. For over two decades, Wynn was actively engaged with CIS of Nevada and CIS National, the organization that serves over 2 million children in more than 3,500 schools in 29 states and DC, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. A member of the national board since 1999, Wynn was elected chairperson in 2007, a position she proudly held until her passing in April 2025. An indomitable crusader for children’s welfare and an influential philanthropist, her commitment to improving children’s lives through education engaged her in numerous leadership roles at local, state, and national levels. More about the Elaine P. Wynn Stronger Together Scholarship can be found at cisnevada.org/strongertogether.
Since 2004, CIS of Nevada has demonstrated measurable success in student outcomes. Of note is the high school graduation rate of 97 percent for CIS case-managed graduation-eligible students in Nevada for the 2024-2025 school year. More than 800 case-managed students graduated or earned their GED, marking the largest graduating class and underscoring the profound impact of its model.
