With the help of some scholarship money, Front Range Community College student Rudolfo Tapia Jr. will graduate this May without a last semester tuition bill.

The Thornton resident received an Emerging Leaders Scholarship for $1,000 from the National Society of Leadership and Success for his established leadership ability and accomplishments.

The National Society of Leadership and Success helps people discover and achieve their goals. Tapia, who is deaf, received the scholarship for demonstrating leadership by planning social events for the deaf community.

He said he realized there weren't many deaf social events or a strong deaf community in his area, so he decided to change that. Tapia planned a social event at Lodo's Bar and Grill in Westminster with around 100 people in attendance.

“People enjoyed it and they loved the exposure and meeting new people,” he said. “Hearing people were also invited to help them learn more about the deaf community.”

Currently Tapia is studying in the pharmacy technician program at FRCC in Westminster. He said he plans to take the certification test after graduation and hopes to work in a pharmacy department of a hospital.

Tapia is also passionate about film. He said he would like to own his own business working in the film industry with hopes of creating more film opportunities for the deaf community.

“There aren't a lot of deaf movies,” he said. “I want more opportunities for deaf actors who have the skills, to be involved in the film industry and make movies.”

Tapia said he's been really impressed with Front Range. He's received a lot of support over the years and said he's grateful for the wonderful interpreting services he's received.