Cameron Jesse Manito Scholarship

The Cameron Jesse Manito memorial scholarship weaves together the stories of two extraordinary individuals and celebrates the Manito Way-a tradition rooted in hospitality, generosity, belonging, and joy. By endowing this scholarship, we will ensure that one Regis University student each year who embodies these receives meaningful supporting in perpetuity.

Cameron Jesse was born on August 16, 1997. He was majoring in sociology at MSU Denver and was a devoted advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, children's rights, and environmental justice. His ancestral roots stretch back centuries in Colorado's San Luis valley and northern New Mexico-land shaped by resilience, family, the Manito Way. Cameron felt that heritage deeply. "As a child who was bullied because I was gay, I know what it is like to be an outsider,” he wrote. "But when I came to college with other Manito students, I got it. Together we could make a safe and accepting space for others experiencing the same challenges. That is the Manito Way."

At the time of his passing on September 24, 2023, Cameron was actively researching Manito history and the descendants of matriarch Sarah Lopez Dussart. He envisioned a future where he would return to the San Luis Valley to support LGBTQ+ youth and continue his work for justice. This scholarship was part of that dream.

Joanna Lucero, born on May 9, 1938, was the youngest child of Avel and Lucy Lucero. A proud West High School graduate, she went on to work in some of Denver’s earliest lesbian bars – a vital community space and a bold act of visibility in the 1950s–70s. Her experiences were later documented by acclaimed queer historian Katie Gilmartin. From an early age, Joanna showed a fascination with mechanics and electronics. That passion led her to break barriers as an electrician at Rocky Flats, at a time when very few women or people of color were welcomed into the trades.

Joanna spent decades paving the way for others in STEM fields and later devoted herself to empowering women through her work at Mi Casa Resource Center, helping them train for careers in skilled trades. She passed away on November 22, 2023, leaving behind a powerful legacy of courage, mentorship, and determination.

This scholarship honor both Cameron and Joanna-two individuals connected across generations through their Manito ancestry, their commitment to justice, and their belief in building a more inclusive world. Your generosity will allow their stories to inspire students for decades to come.