Otavio Paz Nascimento

Dear Francis Rei Israel and everyone involved for the scholarship, I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you from the bottom of my heart. It's an incredible honor to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship! This semester has been particularly challenging for me, as I had a horse-riding accident around September, which led to a period of constant struggle and self-reflection. After receiving the fortunate news about this scholarship, just before the New Year's celebration, I feel like this is a sign that a better year is ahead of me! As an international student with limited means to cover tuition costs, I've been relentlessly working to make sure my dreams remain within reach and this shows that I'm following a good path! Once again, thank you so much for your kindness, consideration, and investment in my future. I'm deeply grateful and excited to achieve new goals! With heartfelt appreciation,

Roxana Mousavi

As the first in my family to pursue a degree, this scholarship is a helpful reminder that my dreams are within reach. Your generosity eases the burden on my family and allows me to focus more on my studies and future career. Thank you for believing in my potential and supporting students like me. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and will strive to make the most of it.

Savannah Cruz

Dear Francis, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for choosing me as a recipient of the STEAM Generator Scholarship. Being recognized in this way means so much, especially as someone who is the first in my family to attend college. Your support alleviates a significant financial hurdle and lets me keep my focus on advancing my work in marine conservation without additional worries about student debt. As an environmental science graduate with a specialization in coastal marine science, I’m deeply passionate about protecting our oceans and restoring coral reefs. My academic journey and fieldwork have given me valuable insight into coral propagation and ecological monitoring, and I’m excited to further develop AI-driven solutions for assessing reef health. I envision making a difference by addressing coral diseases and integrating technology with community engagement to promote marine stewardship. Your mission to help families access higher education and reduce the weight of student debt resonates deeply with me. I’m truly inspired by your commitment to opening doors for students like myself, and I carry this encouragement forward as I pursue my goals. Thank you again for your generosity and belief in my potential. Your support has made a real difference, and I hope to honor it through my work and by uplifting others in the future. Thank you, Savannah Cruz

Noah Castille

Dear Francis, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for being chosen as a recipient of the STEAM Generator Scholarship. It truly means a lot to me to be recognized and supported in my journey as a first-generation college student. Receiving this scholarship not only eases the financial challenge of pursuing higher education, but also allows me to focus more energy on my academic and creative pursuits without worrying so much about student debt. Growing up in Texas and moving from Beaumont to Houston, I’ve always felt a strong bond with my community, which I strive to support through ongoing service and creative projects. My Christian faith has inspired me to dedicate time to volunteering, both at my church and in various organizations, and I’m excited to continue expanding those efforts in college. This scholarship gives me the freedom to engage fully in campus life—whether that’s getting involved in community service, building new clubs, starting internships, or developing my own animated films to share at festivals. Your commitment to making higher education attainable for families like mine inspires me deeply. I’m grateful for your vision of helping students take their first steps into college and for your dedication to fighting student debt. Knowing that there are compassionate individuals like you supporting students motivates me to work even harder and, one day, help others in the same way. Thank you for your generosity and your belief in my potential. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and hope to pay your kindness forward in the future. Thank you, Noah Castille

Sofia Hernandez

Dear Francis Rei Israel, Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a finalist! I’m really grateful for the experience and for being recognized in this way. As a woman and latinamerican architect pursuing my master's at Columbia, this has been a great reminder to keep pushing forward with my mission to design spaces that empower communities. Thanks again for everything!

Moriah Holland

Dear Mr. Francis Rei Israel, Being chosen as a STEAM Generator Scholarship finalist makes me quite honored. Your will to fight student debt and enable families to pursue higher education is truly motivating. For me,  as I strive for my master's degree, this awareness means so much. Being a finalist for this scholarship not only confirms my diligence but also inspires me to keep aiming high in both my academic and career paths. I appreciate your kindness and for generating chances that would be so significant for students just like me. Your help motivates me to keep on, dream larger, and pursue improving my field of work. Much appreciative, Moriah Holland

Luke Davis

Dear Francis Rei Israel, Thank you so very much for awarding me the STEAM Generator Scholarship! This means the world to me, and will provide me with greater stability in my educational journey. I strongly admire and appreciate your mission to help families access higher education and combat student debt—your generosity is so greatly appreciated, and will undoubtedly help me to reach for the stars, and to one day help others as you have helped me. This scholarship eases my financial burden, and also greatly motivates me to keep working as hard as I can toward achieving my goals in the STEAM fields. I feel freshly inspired and very excited to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in the future for as many people as I can. Thank you again for your kindness and support. With gratitude, Luke Davis

De'Vanese John-Baptiste

Thank you for considering me as a finalist for your scholarship and for offering this award to students!

Gabrielle Lewis

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the STEAM Generator Scholarship. I am truly honored to receive your generous support! This scholarship means a great deal to me. Your vision of making higher education more accessible to underrepresented students deeply resonates with my own journey and purpose. The financial assistance will significantly ease the burden of tuition as I pursue my Master's degree and further education. This also allows me to fully focus on my studies and practical experiences, maximizing my academic potential. I recognize and appreciate the impact this scholarship has in fostering opportunities for students like me. Thank you again for your investment in my education. I am committed to excelling in my program and upholding the values your scholarship represents!