In honor and memory of ACCA founders Emily and Fred Ruffing, ACCA awards a scholarship each July to graduating high school seniors.
ACCA is pleased to announce that the Ruffing Scholar for 2026 is Cindy Gamboa. Cindy is a recent graduate of Falls Church High School (FCHS).
This fall, she’ll be attending James Madison University to major in Nursing. As a first-generation college student, she is excited to work toward her goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Cindy has always had a passion for giving back to her community. Throughout high school, she volunteered with Fairfax County, served as a Nursing Academy Ambassador, volunteered at a nursing home, and was involved in National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling to Bolivia to visit her grandparents and help on their farm, playing soccer, and dancing traditional Bolivian folk dances. She also enjoys helping her pueblo raise money for projects that improve schools and provide resources for families in her hometown in Bolivia.
We wish Cindy continued success at James Madison University.
For information, to make a contribution, or to identify high school seniors who may qualify for the scholarship, please get in touch with info@accacares.org. For more information about the Ruffing Scholarship, visit this page.