Garrett Mcnerney

Garrett, a Lake Havasu High School graduate, is working toward earning a degree in international business with an ultimate goal of working in the fashion industry.

His love of fashion is what made Garrett, whose hometown is Lake Havasu City, apply for and choose to attend Pace University in New York City.

“I can genuinely say that with only living in the city for just a little more than six months, I have learned more about myself than I ever thought I could,” said Garrett. “I feel as if being able to live in New York while attending a university gives me a leg up, especially in the fashion industry.”

Garrett began planning for college by applying for every scholarship he could find during his senior year. He recommends this year’s high school seniors do the same, even if the scholarship may seem out of reach.

“I came upon a national scholarship, and I never in a million years thought I would be lucky enough to get it,” he said. “But what did I do? I applied for it and actually got it. It is so incredibly important to apply for as many scholarships as humanly possible during your senior year.”

Garrett’s schooling in New York is made possible by several scholarships and grants, including the Pace Incentive Award, Pace Grant, Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).

“It is possible to attend an out of state university,” he said. “In my case, I am paying less than someone going to Arizona State University or the University of Arizona.”