Dusty Bookhamer

Dusty is one of our 2023-2024 Boundless Opportunity - Daniels Fund scholarship recipients. 

We were inspired by Dusty's presentation at our 2023 Scholarship Luncheon and thought we would share a little bit about her journey here, to inspire you.

Dusty is pursuing her AAS in Commercial Photography. She is a veteran, a single mother, and a first-generation college student. By receiving a scholarship, Dusty has been afforded an opportunity to better focus on her classes. As she puts it, “I want to have the freedom to not worry about food and bills so that I can truly commit to my studies.”

Dusty was diagnosed with PTSD, and has found art, specifically photography, has given her an outlet to navigate her traumas. She hopes to turn photography into a career, but she feels passionate about using it to help others to deal with their own traumas.



Dusty shared her inspiring story as one of our scholarship recipient speakers at this year’s Scholarship Luncheon. She wants to show her two children the power of chasing your dreams.

Above image (from left to right): ACC Scholar Dusty Bookhamer & ACC President, Dr. Stephanie Fujii

Pursuing higher education while juggling the responsibilities of being a mother to my children and starting a new business is very demanding. Your generous support has not only eased my financial burdens but has also provided me with renewed motivation. - Dusty Bookhamer

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Littleton Leadership Academy at ACC

Thank you very much for this generous gift toward my education. One of the scariest hurdles in going back to school in my thirties was the question of how I

would pay for it? As I begin nursing school, this support will help me tremendously along my path to helping others. I hope that one day I can help others in their education as you have helped me. Words cannot express my heartfelt thanks. You are supporting

a student who wants to help the world. I am grateful, thankful, and will work as hard as possible to make sure that your generosity was well placed.

Thank you.

-Luke

I am a thirty-five year old divorced mother. After being a stay-at-home mother since earning my bachelor’s degree in 2006, I found that my liberal arts degree did not help me secure employment to support my three school-aged children. After being laid off as a retail manager during the pandemic, I immediately knew I needed to find a way to become self-sufficient, I began my journey to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and a phlebotomist. I could not afford a for-profit nursing college. I waited and worked hard on pre-requisites and co-requisites until I finally got into the ACC nursing program. I could not be more proud of how far I have come and your generous contributions to the ACC Foundation will allow me to continue my journey.

-Jessica