Past Scholars — Where are they now?

I have been extremely busy. I am a full time student at South Seattle Community College currently in my last quarter for my Associates of Arts, which means I am getting ready to apply to universities and decide my major. I work 32 hours a week at ITT Technical Institute in the Career Service Department. It is hard sometimes (as a single mother of two) but I try my best.

College is going well, and I have made so many new friends by joining two great programs—the Black Student Union and Pre-Health Club. Although some classes are tough, I am learning what kind of study techniques are needed to be successful. Outside of school, I am working at Learning Skills Services 9 hours a week, (just enough time to keep myself busy and earn some extra money for groceries). It is a great place to work, very quiet, and allows for me to do my school work some of the time.

At the end of last year I ran for and was elected Vice President of the Black Student Union here at Western. It's through this group and Western's Student Outreach Services that I volunteered for freshman orientation and will possibly become a peer mentor. I am planning to double major in psychology and communications and then look towards a masters in education. My goal is to teach, counsel, and eventually do some motivational speaking to youth across the nation. I want to teach and counsel particularly in a high school like the one I graduated from, Cleveland High School — a school that serves a diverse student population from primarily low socio-economic backgrounds.

I am doing well. I finished school on June 12, 2006. Actually Smith Glover, an Education First volunteer was at the ceremony that day. As for now, I am working for a company that imports and is a distributor of high tech accessories. I will be applying to Law School in the future; however, I am trying to help out my husband financially since he is a student/employee himself. As for my six year old daughter she is well and going to school.

I graduated from University of Washington with B.S in Chemical Engineering. Now, I am working company named Lafarge North America as a process Engineer. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you from Education First for giving the guidance and financial support to reach my education goals. Without the help from people like you I will not be here today. Once again, thank you very much.

I am currently stationed in Iraq serving the last of my 4 year obligation. After getting three associates degrees, and about to transfer over to the university, September 11th hit and, well, like many Americans I made the transition from student to soldier. I know that without the catalyst of my high school advisor, my fantastic parents, and Education First, I wouldn't have even considered going to college. There are a lot of soldiers who think school is not an option. I try to tell as many people I can that college is an option and that it is an investment — one that no one can ever take away. Please know that Education First is establishing the vision in many who didn't think the possibilities would exist.