Dual Credit Spotlight: Frias Legacy Scholar
As graduation season shines a light on student achievement across Southern Nevada, one CSN High School senior’s story is especially inspiring.
Alyssa Becnel, a graduating senior at CSN High School South, has been awarded the prestigious Frias Legacy Scholarship—a $100,000 award funded by the Charles and Phyllis M. Frias Charitable Trust. The scholarship is designed to eliminate financial barriers for promising students, empowering them to pursue higher education debt-free.
Alyssa was nominated by Sarah Tartaglia, Program Officer for CSN’s CAPS Program, who described her as a student who has “risen above adversity with grace, grit and unwavering focus.” Alyssa’s story moved the selection committee, and the award will help her continue her education with confidence and stability.
The April 8 ceremony honoring Alyssa brought together Frias Trust representatives, the Public Education Foundation, and CSN staff to celebrate not just a scholarship—but the enduring legacy of two individuals who believed in the transformative power of education. Charles and Phyllis Frias, who once ran Nevada’s largest transportation company, never attended college themselves but made it their mission to open doors for others.
From Scholarships to Simulators: Career Pathways in Action
Also highlighted in the April edition of the CSN Dual Credit Newsletter was Career Exploration Day on April 25, which welcomed 145 high school students from across the valley to CSN’s Henderson campus. Students got a hands-on look at careers in aviation, welding, engineering and public safety—including the chance to test drive a flight simulator and explore a real police cruiser.
In another standout event, 23 students from Central Technical Training Academy and Rancho High School were recognized at the Nevada Gold Mines Family Celebration Night on April 23. These students are graduating with a CSN Certificate of Achievement and are poised to launch careers in mining, with starting salaries of $70,000—a testament to the power of dual credit programs to change lives.
Want to Learn More?
To explore how dual credit can open doors for your future—or for your student’s future—email Amber Mayes at Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to get connected.