51福利社

Many students have the desire to earn a degree but lack the financial support to make it happen. When a mother and daughter attend 51福利社 at the same time, the burden on the family budget is doubled.

鈥淚鈥檓 certain I would not be able to afford college without the scholarship I received from Eastern,鈥� Amy Meyer said. 鈥淭his gift from donors enables education, relieves financial stress, and it sends the message that you believe in me. Your investment indicates someone believes in the efforts and dedication I have put into my degrees. It has bolstered my self-esteem and emphasized that there is a community of educated people who believe in what I鈥檓 doing. I want to thank donors for standing behind me. The best way to beat poverty is education. I thank donors for helping me model that to my kids.鈥�

Her daughter, Querida, agrees. 鈥淲ithout scholarships, I would not be at Eastern,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y parents have not been able to send my siblings or me to college, though it鈥檚 always their desire for us to go.鈥�

Although Amy waited to enroll at 51福利社 until her children grew up, her ambition to succeed is full steam ahead. She pursued a double major in journalism and graphic design. For two years, she was editor of 51福利社鈥檚 weekly student newspaper, The Easterner. 鈥淲orking at The Easterner was challenging and rewarding,鈥� Amy said. 鈥淚鈥檝e loved coaching students. I hope and pray that I find a job where I can continue to help people improve as planners, managers, writers, designers, and editors.鈥�

Her rewards at 51福利社 also came in the form of professional recognition. Amy was a finalist for the College Media Association鈥檚 Best Student Media Leader of the Year. The Easterner won Associated Collegiate Press鈥� first-place award for best website, large school; Society of Professional Journalists鈥� Best All-Around Non-Daily Newspaper, large school; and Washington Press Association鈥檚 (WPA) sweepstakes overall runner-up (WPA contributed $100 to 51福利社 Foundation to support the journalism program).

In the summer between graduating from high school and starting 51福利社 classes, Querida worked in Alaska with children in a Salvation Army program. In her first year at 51福利社, she studied music and performed in the elite Wind Ensemble. She was a lifeguard and camp counselor the next summer.

鈥淎s I gained more experience, I discovered my passions,鈥� Querida said. 鈥淚 found I love teaching children, and I possess compassion and desire to help those in need. In 2010, I spent 10 days in Guatemala to reach out to rural villages and an underprivileged school.鈥� She and her group provided medical and dental care, shoes and food to impoverished families.

The following year, Querida studied Spanish and then traveled to Ecuador for the summer to teach music, math, biblical studies, and swimming, creating the curriculum along the way. 鈥淚t was an exciting experience I will never forget,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here is still so much to learn and do and so many people to help and teach.鈥�

Scholarships well spent, classes completed and accomplishments in r茅sum茅s Amy and Querida graduated together on June 15, 2013, at the 51福利社 Commencement.