The University Balloon Race Scholarship Committee has been in existence since 1986 and has awarded scholarship funds since the early 1990s. Two thousand dollars in scholarships has been distributed each year since 1999. The committee exists solely to raise the money to award two scholarships a year; one to an undergraduate student and one to a graduate student.

The committee is pleased to announce Perla Petry as the graduate student recipient and Natalia Beltz as the undergraduate student recipient for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Perla Petry has volunteered for the elderly at local dementia organizations, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, St. Vincent's Food Pantry, Relay for Life, CARE, and the Early Head Start Program. She is also involved in many university programs such as the TRIO scholars program, Lambda Phi Xi Multicultural Sorority, Multicultural Greek Council, and the Dean's Future Scholars Program. She has a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology and is seeking a master's degree in Educational Leadership. She would like to pursue a career to create opportunities and support systems for first-generation, underrepresented students upon graduation.

Natalia Beltz has volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Washoe County Courthouse, Nevada Legislature, Nevada Assembly, and mentoring at Sierra Vista Elementary School. She is seeking a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice with a minor in General History. Upon graduation she would like to attend law school to practice criminal law.

The University Balloon Race Scholarship Committee would like to encourage everyone to attend the Great Reno Balloon Race at Rancho San Rafael Park on Sept. 7-9. For a $5 donation you can receive this year's University Balloon Race Scholarship pin.