Amy's College Tuition
Donation protected
Dear everyone,
First, I would like to thank you for listening to my story, and for considering helping me raise the funds I need to attend college. I have worked hard and am excited more than I can say that I have been accepted to the University of California--Los Angeles, my dream school. I hope you will consider helping me raise the funds to attend.
There is always a first time, for everything. The first time I broke my thumb, first time I read a book, first time I scored a goal during a soccer game -- and I will never forget the moment I learned that I got accepted into UCLA. All these “firsts” are moments that will never be forgotten, moments that shaped me into the person I am today. Well, the same idea also applies to the first night I was homeless.
This past year, my mother and I lost our home due to foreclosure. The intense feelings of fear and uncertainty still haunt my mind. I could not accept the reality that my home, the place where my childhood memories began, was being taken from me. It wasn’t just a home, but a symbol of my mother’s hard work; a constant reminder that anything is possible. My mother left her family behind in Vietnam to move to the United States in pursuit of the “American Dream”. She sacrificed all that she knew in order to give me everything I could ever need and want, but that proved to be extremely difficult for a single mother.
Not only did my mother lose her home, but she also lost her business of 20 years, in the same year. For two months, she was unemployed, so I took it upon myself to get a part-time job to support the two of us. I would say that this lifestyle made me very independent at an early age. Since my mother was unable to speak fluent English and my father wasn’t around, it became my responsibility to step into a rotating cast of characters: interpreter, part-time worker, and full-time student. These experiences have served me well in life today.
My mother and I slept in a nail salon for almost three months. We showered in a sink and slept on the cold, harsh tile floors. My mother entered a depressive slump, so it became my responsibility to change our situation. After visiting countless apartments and searching through endless advertisements for rentals, I was able to secure an apartment for my mother and me. I stood victorious in our new apartment, proud of myself for staying strong and for paying first month’s rent.
Waking up at 6:00 am to be at school by 8:00 am and not getting home until 9-10pm at night was very strenuous. I worked at least 4-5 days a week. Some days, I would go to school, then go to soccer practice, and go to work after. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. This past year was the most challenging academic year of my life--juggling 5 advanced placement classes, extracurricular activities, responsibilities at home and part-time jobs. But instead of running from the challenge, I embraced it wholeheartedly.
I have been very fortunate to have been able to go to my current high school on a scholarship, sponsored by the local St. Vincent de Paul Society in Easton, MD. I have been able to achieve so many things that would have been impossible if I had gone to a different school. Through the past four years, I have represented the freshman class as Co-President, held the position of Vice President of the Health Careers Club, and now currently serve as the President of the Student Government. I am very active in my community and have volunteered over 800 hours of service. My aspirations are to become a pediatric neurosurgeon, and eventually, I want to open clinics in countries that are struggling with providing healthcare to its people.
When I learned I had gotten accepted into UCLA and indeed had been accepted into the program of my choice, Neuroscience, I was both excited and proud. I am going to be the first in my family to attend college. I knew how important this would be to my mother, who sacrificed everything to give me the best possible chance of reaching success. I knew that so many opportunities would open up if I attended this university. I would be given the opportunity for better jobs, better connections, and an extraordinary chance to build a successful life in order to take care of my family.
UCLA has everything that I have dreamed of for a university for me. It is a perfect size and in an amazing location. Their Neuroscience programs are amazing, and the endless opportunities for research excite me! The campus, the community, and the class structure are perfect for me. I felt that I belonged here.
And then my dream disappeared as quickly as it came. When I received the financial aid package, I noticed immediately something was wrong. I did not receive anything close to the financial aid everyone expected that I would receive given that Mom had no ability to contribute. Unless I am able to raise at least $20,000, I will not be able to attend UCLA. But if I can raise enough money to get through this upcoming school year, I am confident that I will able to get more scholarship money and earn enough on my own to make it through in the next three years.
Recently, my mother kicked me out of her home. Now, I am living with my father. I am still continuing my journey to UCLA.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me, and for considering investing in my future. I appreciate it more than I can say.
Sincerely,
Amy Nguyen
First, I would like to thank you for listening to my story, and for considering helping me raise the funds I need to attend college. I have worked hard and am excited more than I can say that I have been accepted to the University of California--Los Angeles, my dream school. I hope you will consider helping me raise the funds to attend.
There is always a first time, for everything. The first time I broke my thumb, first time I read a book, first time I scored a goal during a soccer game -- and I will never forget the moment I learned that I got accepted into UCLA. All these “firsts” are moments that will never be forgotten, moments that shaped me into the person I am today. Well, the same idea also applies to the first night I was homeless.
This past year, my mother and I lost our home due to foreclosure. The intense feelings of fear and uncertainty still haunt my mind. I could not accept the reality that my home, the place where my childhood memories began, was being taken from me. It wasn’t just a home, but a symbol of my mother’s hard work; a constant reminder that anything is possible. My mother left her family behind in Vietnam to move to the United States in pursuit of the “American Dream”. She sacrificed all that she knew in order to give me everything I could ever need and want, but that proved to be extremely difficult for a single mother.
Not only did my mother lose her home, but she also lost her business of 20 years, in the same year. For two months, she was unemployed, so I took it upon myself to get a part-time job to support the two of us. I would say that this lifestyle made me very independent at an early age. Since my mother was unable to speak fluent English and my father wasn’t around, it became my responsibility to step into a rotating cast of characters: interpreter, part-time worker, and full-time student. These experiences have served me well in life today.
My mother and I slept in a nail salon for almost three months. We showered in a sink and slept on the cold, harsh tile floors. My mother entered a depressive slump, so it became my responsibility to change our situation. After visiting countless apartments and searching through endless advertisements for rentals, I was able to secure an apartment for my mother and me. I stood victorious in our new apartment, proud of myself for staying strong and for paying first month’s rent.
Waking up at 6:00 am to be at school by 8:00 am and not getting home until 9-10pm at night was very strenuous. I worked at least 4-5 days a week. Some days, I would go to school, then go to soccer practice, and go to work after. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. This past year was the most challenging academic year of my life--juggling 5 advanced placement classes, extracurricular activities, responsibilities at home and part-time jobs. But instead of running from the challenge, I embraced it wholeheartedly.
I have been very fortunate to have been able to go to my current high school on a scholarship, sponsored by the local St. Vincent de Paul Society in Easton, MD. I have been able to achieve so many things that would have been impossible if I had gone to a different school. Through the past four years, I have represented the freshman class as Co-President, held the position of Vice President of the Health Careers Club, and now currently serve as the President of the Student Government. I am very active in my community and have volunteered over 800 hours of service. My aspirations are to become a pediatric neurosurgeon, and eventually, I want to open clinics in countries that are struggling with providing healthcare to its people.
When I learned I had gotten accepted into UCLA and indeed had been accepted into the program of my choice, Neuroscience, I was both excited and proud. I am going to be the first in my family to attend college. I knew how important this would be to my mother, who sacrificed everything to give me the best possible chance of reaching success. I knew that so many opportunities would open up if I attended this university. I would be given the opportunity for better jobs, better connections, and an extraordinary chance to build a successful life in order to take care of my family.
UCLA has everything that I have dreamed of for a university for me. It is a perfect size and in an amazing location. Their Neuroscience programs are amazing, and the endless opportunities for research excite me! The campus, the community, and the class structure are perfect for me. I felt that I belonged here.
And then my dream disappeared as quickly as it came. When I received the financial aid package, I noticed immediately something was wrong. I did not receive anything close to the financial aid everyone expected that I would receive given that Mom had no ability to contribute. Unless I am able to raise at least $20,000, I will not be able to attend UCLA. But if I can raise enough money to get through this upcoming school year, I am confident that I will able to get more scholarship money and earn enough on my own to make it through in the next three years.
Recently, my mother kicked me out of her home. Now, I am living with my father. I am still continuing my journey to UCLA.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me, and for considering investing in my future. I appreciate it more than I can say.
Sincerely,
Amy Nguyen
Organizer
Amy Nguyen
Organizer
Easton, MD
