2018 Scholarship Winners

2018 Scholarship Recipient: $1000

I enrolled in Moraine Valley Community College to save money so I would be able to later transfer to a university. Still, I found myself struggling to pay for my tuition and books out of pocket. While it was challenging to stay afloat, I knew it was still a better option than attending university straight out of high school. This scholarship will help to fill in my financial gaps so I am able to pay off my student debt and stay financially stable. In the long-run, it will also assist me in my goal to transfer and receive my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a minor in mathematics.

2018 Scholarship Recipient- $1000

Hi, my name is Michelle Blanco. I’m 21 years old and currently in my last year of the West Hills College nursing program in Lemoore, Ca! I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field, and felt nursing was my calling. I’m blessed to not only have been given this opportunity, but to have chosen as a recipient as well. I plan on using it towards my nursing school expenses which will greatly help alleviate the financial stress of myself and my parents. One must always remember “…that in the struggle lies the joy…” and that without failure, there is no success.

2018 Scholarship Recipient- $2000

I’m currently a senior at California State University Fullerton (CSUF) pursuing a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Most of my work and professional experience has been in education, so naturally, I developed a passion for it. After graduating, I plan on pursuing a career promoting and marketing programs aimed at helping others with their educational goals. Among my interests are film, digital media, travel, social media marketing, and writing. I love to play basketball and any sport in general, hanging out with friends, exploring the outdoors.  I am incredibly grateful for the generous scholarship, and I will put it to great use.  I plan on using this scholarship to help cover educational expenses such as my textbooks, school materials, student fees and student club membership. It will also help me cover costs associated with the completion of my academic internships in the Fall and Spring where I hope to put the skills I’ve learned in my field of study to the test and get real-world, hands-on experience

2018 Scholarship Recipient-$2000

My name is Jessa Canlas. I am a junior attending the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Since high school, I think a big part of what makes me who I am is my willingness and eagerness to volunteer. In the early years of my high school, my weeks were devoted to two local hospital internships – one which was located on a general medicine floor and one which took place in an adult day care center. More recent, I volunteered in the emergency department at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital in Chicago and I also take part in a program called the “No Veteran Dies Alone” program. It’s not just a patriotic feeling in me, but I feel that volunteering my time and help, especially for our veterans, is the least I can do for those who have served our country. This year, I’ve somewhat broadened my horizons and took my volunteering experiences a bit further. I now also hold a research assistant position for a study regarding the rehabilitation of stroke patients. My love for helping people and offering a compassionate presence has drawn me towards the nursing career. With the generous help of this scholarship, I will use this towards my school’s tuition and book costs.