Victoriya's Debt Free College Dream
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Thank you so much for taking the time to open this link. I have to admit, I was always under the impression that academic scholars would have it easy in applying to their dream college and having it fully funded by what we know as a "full ride". Well, my daughter, Victoriya, has always been that scholar, leader, volunteer, and model citizen, but we're still coming up short financially. She applied for numerous private scholarships, but so far has only received one in the amount of $200. We're grateful, but the goal has always been to go to college debt free. The modest funds that I've put away for her since she was a little girl, isn't quite enough either.
Victoriya's committed to Howard University in Washington DC to study Media, Journalism, and Film and they've been generous to offer her a merit award for half of the cost to attend one year. She will be the first in our family to attend an HBCU and I'm hoping that finances do not get in the way of that. She's in need of the other half of the cost and so we're stepping out, swallowing our pride, and asking for donations from people who want to invest in a promising college student, who has a heart for people and serving her community. She hopes that through her degree, she'll have the skills needed to direct, produce and host a talk show that focuses on dispelling myths about mental health and also serves to encourage and uplift those who lack self-confidence. I'm so proud of my daughter... not only of her past accomplishments, but of her future goals.
If you've read this far, thank you! That means a lot to us. Below is a summary of Victoriya's accomplishments in her own words:
For the past 13 years, being a student has been one of my biggest priorities. But not JUST being a student who goes to class and goes home. My goals at school have always been to get involved, to make an impact and to create close relationships with my peers, my teachers and the school staff. Elementary school is where it all began- talent shows acts for each grade, spending weeks on science fair projects, competing in the PTA Reflections Art Competition every year, choir solos, and my first leadership experiences, leading in the classroom and serving as the 6th grade Student Council President. This love for school carried over to junior high where I found my happy place in both band and advanced choir. I became a Peer Buddy and worked with the special needs students on campus, continued my participation in the Reflections Art Competition, and became a WEB leader my 8th grade year to help the 7th graders with their transition. In high school, I was excited to get even more involved and to leave my mark on campus, so that's exactly what I spent these last 4 years trying to do. Freshman year, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a performing arts school in Duarte, California School of the Arts- San Gabriel Valley. There, I was able to receive training in everything from tap dance to stage combat and video production. When I had to transfer schools due to financial reasons, I was determined to keep up my involvement in the arts. My sophomore year, brand new to Upland High School, I was named the captain of the JV Express Dance Company and was able to advance to the competition theatre class on campus. Since my sophomore year I have become a member of service and scholar organizations like Key Club, California Scholars Federation and National Honor Society. I have also participated in cultural clubs such as Black Student Union and MECHA, a club for Hispanic students and alliances. I became a library assistant and have now been serving at church as a youth leader for 5 years! Junior year, with the help of my youth group at church, I was able to start the Jesus Club on my school campus. Jesus Club is a national Christian club that churches have the opportunity to plant all over the nation. And even in the midst of a pandemic, I couldn't stop. I wanted to do more, so this year, I also became a Link Crew leader where I help freshmen with their transition into high school. Being my last year, I made it a point to step outside of my comfort zone and went for and was crowned 2021 Homecoming Royalty! I was also named this year's Outstanding Senior and given the Highlander Award! My mom says that I REPRESENT what it means to have the GRADES and the CHARACTER. With all of this being said, I intend to continue serving, honing my gifts, and being a dedicated student inside and outside of the classroom.
Thank you for helping me to fulfill my desire to attend college debt-free.
Victoriya's committed to Howard University in Washington DC to study Media, Journalism, and Film and they've been generous to offer her a merit award for half of the cost to attend one year. She will be the first in our family to attend an HBCU and I'm hoping that finances do not get in the way of that. She's in need of the other half of the cost and so we're stepping out, swallowing our pride, and asking for donations from people who want to invest in a promising college student, who has a heart for people and serving her community. She hopes that through her degree, she'll have the skills needed to direct, produce and host a talk show that focuses on dispelling myths about mental health and also serves to encourage and uplift those who lack self-confidence. I'm so proud of my daughter... not only of her past accomplishments, but of her future goals.
If you've read this far, thank you! That means a lot to us. Below is a summary of Victoriya's accomplishments in her own words:
For the past 13 years, being a student has been one of my biggest priorities. But not JUST being a student who goes to class and goes home. My goals at school have always been to get involved, to make an impact and to create close relationships with my peers, my teachers and the school staff. Elementary school is where it all began- talent shows acts for each grade, spending weeks on science fair projects, competing in the PTA Reflections Art Competition every year, choir solos, and my first leadership experiences, leading in the classroom and serving as the 6th grade Student Council President. This love for school carried over to junior high where I found my happy place in both band and advanced choir. I became a Peer Buddy and worked with the special needs students on campus, continued my participation in the Reflections Art Competition, and became a WEB leader my 8th grade year to help the 7th graders with their transition. In high school, I was excited to get even more involved and to leave my mark on campus, so that's exactly what I spent these last 4 years trying to do. Freshman year, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a performing arts school in Duarte, California School of the Arts- San Gabriel Valley. There, I was able to receive training in everything from tap dance to stage combat and video production. When I had to transfer schools due to financial reasons, I was determined to keep up my involvement in the arts. My sophomore year, brand new to Upland High School, I was named the captain of the JV Express Dance Company and was able to advance to the competition theatre class on campus. Since my sophomore year I have become a member of service and scholar organizations like Key Club, California Scholars Federation and National Honor Society. I have also participated in cultural clubs such as Black Student Union and MECHA, a club for Hispanic students and alliances. I became a library assistant and have now been serving at church as a youth leader for 5 years! Junior year, with the help of my youth group at church, I was able to start the Jesus Club on my school campus. Jesus Club is a national Christian club that churches have the opportunity to plant all over the nation. And even in the midst of a pandemic, I couldn't stop. I wanted to do more, so this year, I also became a Link Crew leader where I help freshmen with their transition into high school. Being my last year, I made it a point to step outside of my comfort zone and went for and was crowned 2021 Homecoming Royalty! I was also named this year's Outstanding Senior and given the Highlander Award! My mom says that I REPRESENT what it means to have the GRADES and the CHARACTER. With all of this being said, I intend to continue serving, honing my gifts, and being a dedicated student inside and outside of the classroom.
Thank you for helping me to fulfill my desire to attend college debt-free.
Organizer
Sherry Smith
Organizer
Upland, CA