Jacques Borges Memorial Scholarship

When planning my future in college, I've discovered that I have two passions: soccer and civil engineering. The Jacques Borges Memorial Scholarship aligns perfectly with my goals. My interest in engineering and its influence on the hydropower industry developed at an early age through my father's guidance during household projects in the state of Florida, where we are surrounded by water, and hurricanes are common. Civil engineering is more than a career for me; it represents a commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability. I aspire to contribute to the industry by creating solutions that use water as natural power to generate sustainable electricity, with water being an abundant resource in South Florida the usage of hydroelectric power. Specifically, dams which use the natural flow of water to help generate electricity that will be collected and distributed for people in the area to use. This scholarship plays a role in realizing this ambition by providing me with the opportunity to pursue higher education without the financial limitations that were faced by my siblings throughout their years of schooling. My goals are to earn a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and potentially pursue a master's degree if necessary, as I will also need to obtain my professional engineering license. During the pandemic, I honed skills such as a work ethic, effective time management, and unwavering determination – all highly valued in today's professional work field. Education has always been instilled in me as a core value by my father, which drives me toward achievements while making meaningful contributions to my community on a regular basis. I have placed importance on the safety of my family and community while navigating through the COVID-19 epidemic by adhering to the many safety measures set in place both at home and out in public. This experience further strengthens my commitment to community welfare, which aligns with my objective of positively impacting the world. Thіs scholаrshіp symbolіzеs аn аcknowlеdgmеnt of my commіtmеnt to sports, еducаtіon, аnd communіty sеrvіcе, whіch lіnks to my еnthusіаsm for еngіnееrіng. Not only will this award fill the financial gap that I will face when paying for college, but it will also give me hope that my future goals can come to life with the help of others. Thank you for tаkіng thе tіmе to еvаluаtе my аpplіcаtіon; І аm еxcіtеd аbout thе possіbіlіty of mаkіng а lаstіng еffеct on my dеsіrеd pаth with your help.

My Pathway The most important question we ask ourselves is “Why are we choosing our pathway?” Looking beyond the obvious, we realize everyone has their pathway, skills, and vision that makes them unique. Most of us are giving up because of the fear of getting lost while pursuing our dreams. While some of us keep going because our dreams are a purpose in our hearts. I was raised in Haiti by my mother who always told me “You have a future inside of your heart do not let it go". I slowly came to understand the meaning of her words as I got older and continued with my studies. Oftentimes in my confusion, I would ask my mom “what do you mean by those words?” and she would respond “Do not let it go.” I hold her advice and attempt to live by it. I vividly remember one of the most painful memories of my childhood that had shaped me and served as a source of motivation today. Back when I was a child, three of my classmates inquired me, “what do you want to be in life?” with a proud smile, I said, “I would love to become a civil engineer.” They all shouted “Math is an undiscovered subject. You will not make it to be a Civil Engineer.” Although I knew I was not that brilliant in math, I stood with sorrow in my heart and said, “You may think math is hard, but my vision of helping the community, and building new houses for people in need will not stop me from archiving my dreams just because of math.” Becoming a civil engineer is fulfilling my long-lasting dream. Besides that, it is a way of giving back to my community and living up to my mom's advice, the ethics and character that she attempted to instill in me. Getting a college degree is not sufficient for me. I would love my dreams to benefit others and to make the lives of others easier. The road to becoming a civil engineer will not be easy. I understand the hardship and competitive aspects of engineering. Failure and abandonment are two concepts that I strive to overcome. I understand that math may not be the easiest subject for me, however regardless of the level of difficulty, I know I can succeed with hard work as I was told by a previous Brockton High Math teacher “Math is about practice, nothing is difficult in math.” Civil engineering may be a challenging and demanding field, nevertheless, all the requirements do not compare to the goodness that the degree will bring. I am now able to understand the meaning behind mother’s metaphor when she said, “You have a future in your heart. Do not let it go.” Sometimes in life, you will find people that will make you doubt your abilities. It is my responsibility to stand for my dreams. My dream is selfless and will benefit others.