Scholar Stories 2010s
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Ali Al-Tharwan
Zarqa, Jordan
PepsiCo Foundation ExCEL Award, 2010
When you take a look at any person's life, you see that they have goals they want to achieve, and for which they study and work. Arriving at those goals -- a good life, happiness – is more valuable than any amount of money. But during the attempt to get there, waves of adversity send you back, and you have to imagine a strong wind from behind, pushing you toward your dreams. Growing up poor, in a poor suburb, in a poor city made my dreams very distant. Read More>
Brittany Beyer
Greenwood, Indiana
PepsiCo Foundation Excel Award, 2010
As children, we're told that we can be anything we want to be when we grow up. What they didn't tell us is how much money and hard work would go into making that dream career a reality. Well, when I was a child I took what they said literally and decided that I wanted to become a doctor, which is a very lengthy and expensive career path to take and also requires much dedication. I worked extremely hard throughout my high school career to get accepted into a private college with an exceptional biology program. Now, I am a junior in college, currently in the process of applying for medical school. My life-long goal would never have been attainable if it wasn't for the scholarships I have received. I was raised in a household where one of my parents didn't go to college and neither did many of my other relatives. I got to see how not attending college affected their lives, and I knew that I didn't want that for myself. Read More>
Sarah Bjork
Elmwood, Wisconsin
Donaldson Company, Inc. Scholarship Program, 2010
This scholarship made my dream of going to college possible. The rising cost of tuition was causing financial problems that I kept stressing about. I worked all throughout my high school career to save money for college but that wasn't even enough. When I found out that I received this scholarship, I immediately starting crying. Words couldn't explain how happy I was. College has always been in my future, and it's very important to me that I obtain my degree in Mental Health Counseling. I want to be able to help people cope with life's everyday challenges. Read More>
Lee Aren Brown
Lexington, Kentucky
Talbots Scholarship, 2010
I am honored to have received the $15,000 Talbots Scholarship in 2010. This scholarship will assist in my dream of achieving both educational and career goals. It has eliminated the financial burden of college related expenses, and helped build the groundwork for the rest of my life. When I was in high school I honestly did not think I was smart enough to go to college. Upon graduating from high school in 1995 I started working in a local mall earning a minimal salary. Several jobs later and progressing to the year 2002, I found myself married, living in Florida, and working up to 60 hours a week to earn a living. In the fall of 2003, I was in the process of getting a divorce and that was the turning point when I realized I must do something better for my life. I needed to further my education, concentrate on having a career, and a better quality of life. I refused to believe that I was not smart enough to attend college and desired to have a higher education. Read More>
Jerrica Burnham
Mesquite, Texas
Raytheon Scholars, 2010
My mother is a very motivated and optimistic woman. Through times when it doesn't seem like the sun will shine, she will help you get past the cloudy days. I didn't know how I was going to pay for college, or if I would be able to attend an out of state school; I hadn't received any scholarships, and it was getting close to decision-making time. I needed to know which school I was going to attend. My mother encouraged me to keep applying for scholarships. She told me I just had to be patient and believe – and within a few weeks I started receiving scholarships, and made the decision to go out of state to college. My mom's faith in God and her trust in my abilities help me to persevere and realize my dream. My mother ways of life just help develop me into the young lady I am today: I'm not afraid of hard work, I am a very determined individual and I know that I can achieve my dreams if I just keep persevering even when times get rough. Read More>
Fiona Chalmers
Brewster, New York
Verizon Foundation Scholarship, 2010
I am the second oldest of four children. With my older sister going into her junior year of college, it was impossible for me to expect my parents to pay for any of our tuitions. As a senior in high school, worrying about paying for college is a constant, but after finding out that I received the Verizon Foundation Scholarship, I don't have to worry as much as I thought. I will still have to work hard to pay for college – but if it wasn't for this scholarship, I wouldn't be able to go to college at all.
Monique Chavez
Delano, California
PepsiCo Foundation ExCEL Award, 2010
The PepsiCo Foundation ExCEL Award will completely change my life. My first year of college was very stressful. Not only did I have to worry about keeping my grades up, but I was also stressing about having money to buy school supplies and groceries, and whether or not I was going to have enough money to pay my electricity bill. I tried multiple times to find a part time job to help pay my bills, however, with the bad economy, the only income I was able to receive came from financial aid. My parents divorced when I was young; my father and stepmother are raising my eight younger brothers and sisters (five of whom are adopted), and my mother is on the verge of losing her house. Read More>
Michael Chinn
Pleasanton, California
The Clorox Company Foundation Scholarship, 2010
Growing up, I never thought twice about attending college. My parents, grandparents, and other relatives all wanted me to go to college. So naturally, I made it my goal through middle school and high school to get accepted into a college. During the second semester of my senior year, I was accepted to the University of California at Davis, and I made the choice to attend this school. I distinctly remember my fear and excitement the day I moved into the dorms. I had no idea what to expect or what to do. I was taking my first step toward the real world. Read More>
Dylan Clark
Derby, Kansas
PepsiCo Foundation ExCEL Award, 2010
I am very grateful for this scholarship. I wasn't sure how I was going to afford attending Wichita State University; because of the PepsiCo Foundation ExCEL Award, I will be able to go to a great school and receive a first-class education. My parents and teachers really inspired me to attend a first-class university and get a good education. This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of a Bachelor's Degree. I am so blessed to be honored with this award.
