Help a SCI-Arc Student in need!
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Currently, I am earning my Bachelor's of Architecture at SCI-Arc in downtown Los Angeles. SCI-Arc has meant more to me than just a school to attend and graduate from; from the moment I set foot on campus, I decided to be involved with the community as much as I could. As a first-year, I took the initiative to get involved in the Student Union as the Thanksgiving Coordinator. The Thanksgiving Coordinator is tasked with planning and organizing vendors for a 500 person luncheon hosted at SCI-Arc.
As a second year, I was first elected as Treasurer, where my main responsibility was to provide high-density foam sales to the students at SCI-Arc for their projects. In the Spring of my second year, I was nominated and voted in as Vice President (VP) when my predecessor stepped down to focus on her students. During my time as VP, I worked with the President and SCI-Arc Staff/Faculty to coordinate resources and support to students in order for them to manage mental stress. One of the outcomes included regular on-campus yoga classes.
During this time I also held a seat in the Student Union Professional Development committee which worked on reaching out to alumni and local architecture firms to help foster a relationship with current students. During my third year at SCI-Arc, I was nominated and elected President of the Student Union. Alongside my VP and many other members of the Student Union, we fought to replace a grading system that was negatively affecting the student's GPA. Once it was put into effect, it was not only beneficial for current students but future classes as well. We also continued to expand upon the yoga classes as well as other resources for mental stress. In my fourth year at SCI-Arc, I decided to step down and nominate other capable students so that I could focus on my final two years of studies at SCI-Arc. Now being in my fifth year on the heels of my thesis I am proud to be a part of a great school/community.
In January 2020 I was in a car accident, where another driver had t-boned the passenger side of my car. Thankfully the collision was not fatal, but I sustained a serious back injury that caused two discs in my lower back to herniate and bulge pinching my sciatic nerve. Immediately following the accident I had trouble walking and was unable to lift anything; this forced me to take a leave of absence from work.
Further, this accident has caused a myriad of problems including seeking medical treatment and legal advice. It's been a struggle to afford the unexpected expenses in both time and money. Ultimately I was bedridden for the better part of two weeks and the pain was so great, that I couldn't walk or sit upright. Due to my forced absence at work, I was unable to earn the usual income that I normally do during the summer in order to pay for school. That extra bit would have made the difference to pay the remaining tuition amount for the Fall semester. What's even more frustrating is that I am only two semesters away from graduating.
While I have received continuing student scholarships from SCI-Arc for this school year, it's not enough to cover the rest of my school tuition and I am in an awkward position where I may not be able to stay enrolled for school this year. I have tried to explore every avenue for financing, but to no avail. It's frustrating to know when your dreams are so close and yet so far. I want to make my family proud and become the first member of my family to graduate from college and I don't want something like money to stand in the way.
The current balance remaining on tuition is $3700.00
There's a lot of other causes and issues out in the world right now in comparison, and normally I don't do these kinds of things, but any contribution big or small will help me accomplish a milestone that we all have in common. With this degree,I plan on finding solutions for more affordable housing that has little to no impact on the environment around us to create a better tomorrow for everyone.
As a second year, I was first elected as Treasurer, where my main responsibility was to provide high-density foam sales to the students at SCI-Arc for their projects. In the Spring of my second year, I was nominated and voted in as Vice President (VP) when my predecessor stepped down to focus on her students. During my time as VP, I worked with the President and SCI-Arc Staff/Faculty to coordinate resources and support to students in order for them to manage mental stress. One of the outcomes included regular on-campus yoga classes.
During this time I also held a seat in the Student Union Professional Development committee which worked on reaching out to alumni and local architecture firms to help foster a relationship with current students. During my third year at SCI-Arc, I was nominated and elected President of the Student Union. Alongside my VP and many other members of the Student Union, we fought to replace a grading system that was negatively affecting the student's GPA. Once it was put into effect, it was not only beneficial for current students but future classes as well. We also continued to expand upon the yoga classes as well as other resources for mental stress. In my fourth year at SCI-Arc, I decided to step down and nominate other capable students so that I could focus on my final two years of studies at SCI-Arc. Now being in my fifth year on the heels of my thesis I am proud to be a part of a great school/community.
In January 2020 I was in a car accident, where another driver had t-boned the passenger side of my car. Thankfully the collision was not fatal, but I sustained a serious back injury that caused two discs in my lower back to herniate and bulge pinching my sciatic nerve. Immediately following the accident I had trouble walking and was unable to lift anything; this forced me to take a leave of absence from work.
Further, this accident has caused a myriad of problems including seeking medical treatment and legal advice. It's been a struggle to afford the unexpected expenses in both time and money. Ultimately I was bedridden for the better part of two weeks and the pain was so great, that I couldn't walk or sit upright. Due to my forced absence at work, I was unable to earn the usual income that I normally do during the summer in order to pay for school. That extra bit would have made the difference to pay the remaining tuition amount for the Fall semester. What's even more frustrating is that I am only two semesters away from graduating.
While I have received continuing student scholarships from SCI-Arc for this school year, it's not enough to cover the rest of my school tuition and I am in an awkward position where I may not be able to stay enrolled for school this year. I have tried to explore every avenue for financing, but to no avail. It's frustrating to know when your dreams are so close and yet so far. I want to make my family proud and become the first member of my family to graduate from college and I don't want something like money to stand in the way.
The current balance remaining on tuition is $3700.00
There's a lot of other causes and issues out in the world right now in comparison, and normally I don't do these kinds of things, but any contribution big or small will help me accomplish a milestone that we all have in common. With this degree,I plan on finding solutions for more affordable housing that has little to no impact on the environment around us to create a better tomorrow for everyone.
Organizer
Frank Parrado
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA