Kelly de la Torre Scholarship Fund
The WENCO Scholarship Fund was established in memory of former founding member of Women in Energy, Kelly de la Torre. Kelly was a prominent professional in Colorado focused on utilizing scientific innovation to advance the energy industry. As a practicing attorney, she facilitated all aspects of the commercialization of new technologies. Kelly was passionate about helping women advance in the energy industry, dedicated to making the world a better place through outreach and education, and firmly believed that fostering scientific innovation at a young age would inspire and empower children to pursue meaningful careers in science and technology.
Through the scholarship fund and outreach with local and national partners, WENCO members volunteered their time to share their passion for the energy industry and introduce young women to STEM. These efforts helped develop students' interests in subjects that could lead them toward successful careers while supporting a more diverse and creative future workforce.
Since 2019, WENCO awarded more than $50,000 in scholarship funding to students across Colorado. Scholarships were awarded to local female high school students to help them pursue undergraduate degrees. These funds provided students with valuable financial support for their education while helping cultivate and develop the next generation of women in the energy industry.
At our Annual Luncheon & Scholarship Awards event in 2022, WENCO was pleased to present a special $5,000 scholarship to Kelly's daughter, Gabriella de la Torre, who graduated from high school in May 2023. It was a truly full-circle moment and one that honored Kelly's legacy in a particularly meaningful way.
with Betsy Odell (2022)
Honoring the Legacy
After much discussion and thoughtful consideration, the WENCO Board of Directors made the tough decision to sunset the scholarship program. The final scholarship distributions were presented at the **2024 Annual Luncheon in Denver**, marking the conclusion of a program that had made a meaningful difference in the lives of Colorado students.
While the scholarship program has come to an end, WENCO remains proud of the legacy it created in Kelly's memory. Through the generosity and commitment of our members, the program supported students pursuing their education, encouraged young women to explore STEM and energy-related fields, and carried forward Kelly's belief in the power of education, innovation, and opportunity.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the scholarship fund, volunteered their time, and helped make Kelly's vision a lasting part of WENCO's history.
Scholarship Recipients
Visit our YouTube Channel to watch our recipient videos!
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