WM Joins with the City of Hialeah Gardens to Award
$20,000 in Environmental College Scholarships to
Four Hialeah Gardens High School Seniors

 Four $5,000 College Scholarships Awarded

Hialeah Gardens, FL – April 27, 2026 – WM has joined with the City of Hialeah Gardens and Mayor Yioset De La Cruz to award $20,000 in Environmental College Scholarships to four Hialeah Gardens High School seniors as part of the company’s Earth Month activities.

 Students each receiving a $5,000 college scholarships are Jesus Medina, Derek Monjarrez, Rosangela Ruiz and Alexa Tapanes.

The scholarship recipients were chosen based on their academic performance and grade point average; community service; and leadership skills.

 “WM is extremely pleased to be partnering with the City of Hialeah Gardens to honor these four deserving students with college scholarships,” said WM Communications Director Dawn McCormick.  “This is a significant opportunity to assist our deserving local students in pursuing academic study and potential careers in environmental sciences and sustainability studies.”

 “These four outstanding students represent the best of our city and their school as hard working individuals dedicated to academic excellence, giving back to our community and pursuing rigorous study at their respective colleges,” said Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz. “We congratulate them and wish them all the best as they work towards their goals and dreams.”

Photo Caption:  WM was pleased to award $5,000 Environmental College Scholarships to four deserving students in Hialeah Gardens at a school ceremony on Friday, April 17.

City of Hialeah Gardens Administrative Director Arturo Ruiz; WM Communications Director Dawn McCormick; scholarship recipients Rosangela Ruiz, Alexa Tapanes, Jesus Medina and Derk Monjarrez; Principal Maritza Jimenez; Miami-Dade County School Board Member Roberto Alonso;  Monica Monsalve, City of Hialeah Gardens Administrative Assistant; and North Region Administrative Director Dr. Gilberto Bonce.