Olive-Ann & Iva Scholarship Fund

I was brought up by a single mother, whose marital status, was listed as married, although that did not reflect our household’s reality. Due to circumstances in her upbringing, my mother was unable to complete high school, yet she successfully raised three children with minimal support. Post secondary education was seldom discussed; the primary education was simply to graduate from high school, which proved challenging for me. Throughout my schooling, none of my teachers spoke with me about pursuing higher education, perhaps because they did not perceive college potential in me, which is concerning in itself. By the time I began seriously considering college, I was already in 11th grade, and still struggling academically. My meeting with the guidance counselor offered little encouragement. He indicated that there were no scholarships available and implied that I had applied too late and likely would not have qualified. Nonetheless, with my mother’s assistance, I completed a few semesters at a community college. However, the absence of financial aid or a scholarship opportunities required me withdraw and enter the workforce before considering a return to education. Reflecting on these experiences, I often wonder how access to resources, such as scholarships, grants, or financial aid might have changed my path and made it possible to pursue my desired career. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon story; far too many young people today face similar challenges. One can only imagine how different their lives could be if they had equitable opportunities, regardless of when or how they choose to pursue them. With the support of generous individuals, we hope to assist those who desire to earn a degree, but struggle with elusive financial barriers, enabling them to achieve their aspirations.