Andrew Benson
Carlsbad, California
Edison International Employees' Children Scholarship, 2009

When I first received the letter in the mail informing me of being selected for the Edison International Employees' Children scholarship, naturally I was thrilled. Years of hard work in school had literally translated into money. And then it struck me that this was an opportunity that I wouldn't have had if my dad wasn't an employee of Edison International, so I became immensely thankful and hugged him on the spur of the moment. As the euphoria settled down, I came to appreciate the fact that my dad hadn't just allowed me to qualify for a technical requirement of the scholarship. Both of my parents had been helping me achieve for the past 18 years.

They had read to me at an early age, reminded me to do my homework, forked over the money, time, and patience to humor me when I came home from school one day and asked, "Hey, can I learn to play the violin?" Most importantly, they taught me to value education. "Education is the universal equalizer," my mom often told me. Where you come from, what language you speak, the color of your skin, your gender, or how much money your parents make all don't matter. If you can get a good education, you'll succeed in life, not just financially but socially and personally, too.

Looking back on my early years, I can't remember a time when I didn't share my parents' regard for the importance of education. But receiving this scholarship really opened my eyes to what a profound impact their values have had on my life. After years of hard work in high school, academic success had become uneventful for me. By my senior year, the drudgery of college applications, the lethargy of senioritis, and the roller coaster ride of acceptance and rejection letters had left me exhausted. But then, unexpectedly, this scholarship -- along with a few others I received around the same time -- changed my whole outlook.

The recognition stoked the embers of my ego, of course, but also, the thought financial independence was liberating. Unlike many college students, I don't nervously anticipate college graduation as a countdown clock for finding a job to pay off my student loans. Because of that, I think, I've approached my education with a renewed enthusiasm. So as I reflect upon my first year of college, it is with great satisfaction that consider what I've accomplished and with great gratitude that I appreciate the Edison International Employees' Children scholarship.

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