New Jersey First Generation Scholarship

I will never forget one lesson from my seventh-grade math class. We were studying probability and statistics, learning how to calculate percentages of a population using fractions. To help us understand, my math teacher conducted polls among the students. After each scenario, we would raise our hands if we fell into the group. Then, my teacher created fractions based on how many students raised their hands, which we converted into percentages. We were prompted with different scenarios, like “Raise your hand if you have a pet,” or “Raise your hand if you like broccoli.” Suddenly, I heard my teacher say: “Raise your hand if one of your parents has a four-year college degree.” I looked anxiously around the room as more and more of my peers’ hands shot up. A second later, my hand was the only one that wasn’t raised. Out of that twenty-student class, I was the only person who would become a first-generation student. Nineteen out of twenty students, 95% of the class, had parents with a college education. It was then that I realized I was different from my peers in my middle-class New Jersey suburb. At first, I was embarrassed to be the daughter of parents who lacked the modern equivalent of a standard education. But over time, I realized how incredible my parents were. They worked harder to make their lives successful so that they could provide for our family. My mom grew up modestly among her siblings. She decided against attending college for four years. Even so, she ventured her way through the business industry and found a stable career. My dad is an immigrant who moved to America as a teenager. He came here speaking hardly any English, with nothing more than the clothes on his back and his seven siblings. College was never an option for him. Yet through sheer diligence, he succeeded in his life. After recognizing how hard my parents have worked to triumph for themselves and our family, I am proud. I am proud of myself, too, for defying the odds and paving a path for myself to attend college. Through various extracurriculars, I have been able to explore my curiosities. At the beginning of my freshman year, I joined a club called HOSA — Health Occupations Students of America. I met driven, ambitious dreamers. I saw myself in them. HOSA provided me with invaluable knowledge, from time management skills to the understanding of the vastness of healthcare. Above all, my experiences with HOSA affirmed my belief that I wanted to be a healthcare worker. Although, it was not until I began volunteering at my local first aid squad that I was certain that I wanted to provide patient care. Working with people of all different backgrounds at their most vulnerable moments and receiving a glimpse into their life stories is a privilege. Being an EMT has shaped me more than any other extracurricular activity could: it has allowed me to dive into a field where I can gain real experience with real patients and real emergencies. Through other extracurriculars, like the Red Cross Club, Youth Climate Action Coalition, and even Jazz Band, I have not only certified my love for medicine, but also cultivated new hobbies and interests, like altruism, activism, and music. I would not be the person I am today had it not been for the opportunity to participate in these activities. I am privileged to be defiant of the odds for first-generation students. My background and interests make me the person I am today, and they will also shape the person I will become.

Good evening, First, I want to thank you for this beautiful opportunity and for helping the Hispanic community, unity will help us to become stronger. My name is Angie Bedoya, I'm a first generation of immigrants in the USA, I first came to the country in 2014 to study English and continue my education when I was 18 years old. I'm an only child I had to leave my mom and family in Colombia to look for a better life quality and future here. As soon as I came, I was living with my uncle, and I started to work as cashier while studying. Since the first week of getting to the country I found a job and I had to look for a room to rent. This was my first time out of my native country with no previous knowledge in English I was very young I missed my mom so much, but I continued with my purpose here which was obtaining a bachelor's degree. In 2018 I graduate from Union County Collage I got an associate degree in Psychology I paid for my English Classes and degree by myself with so much effort working and studying full time. In 2019 I started classes at Kean University and my GPA is 3.9. Unfortunately, the University is so much more expensive than college and I had to stop my education to save money to continue. I haven't been able to save all the money I need to cover for my tuition, but out of faith I'm register for Spring 2022. I'd greatly appreciate if you can give me the opportunity to attend this semester, I only have 1 year left to graduate and be able to accomplish for what I have worked so hard. This means everything for me and my family. Thank you, Angie