HOUSTON (Jan. 22, 07) – A student finalist from each of the five North Harris Montgomery Community Colleges has been awarded a scholarship based upon their submission to the NHMCCD Foundation Student Essay Contest. The essays, evaluated on both emotional impact and writing style, explore the influence that attending community college has had upon their lives.
The finalists will read their essays at the 11th annual Chancellor’s Breakfast for friends and contributors.
“It is a unique opportunity for our donors to experience the sizable impact of their financial support,” said John Hooker, NHMCCD Foundation executive director. “All five of these students have an amazing story of challenges, commitment and determination; they are thriving at our colleges. To hear them personally express about the difference our education is making in their lives is remarkable.”
The finalists receiving scholarships are Nathan Scholl, Cy-Fair College; Alena Crosby, Kingwood College; Christine Cain, Montgomery College; Gustavo Linares, North Harris College; and Tumi Oni, Tomball College.
In their essays, the scholarship recipients wrote about the personal obstacles they have overcome and the encouragement and support they have received from faculty, staff and students at the colleges. All of the finalists credit education with dramatically improving their lives and futures.
The North Harris Montgomery Community College District Foundation was created to support the goals and values of the district by providing scholarships and specialized college resources that enhance educational quality and expand opportunities for the entire community.
The Foundation’s primary fundraising event, StarGala 2007 will be held Saturday, April 28, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
For more information about the Foundation and its programs, call 832-813-6640 or visit the Web site at www.foundation.nhmccd.edu.
NHMCCD comprises Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers and The University Center. To learn more, visit www.nhmccd.edu.
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Photos of the essay winners will be available following the Chancellor’s Breakfast on January 26, 2007. Please email [email protected] or call 832-813-6558 to request a photo or complete essay.
Excerpts from Winning Essays:
Nathan Scholl - Cy-Fair College
“At Cy-Fair, I feel as if I am at a large university campus: computers abound and classrooms are fitted with high-tech equipment. The library, well stocked with great books and computers, provides fabulous resources.
“Because I live at home and have family support, I have a strong focus on my studies and achieving academic excellence. Due to the smaller classes, caring teachers, family support, and the collegiate environment, I feel that I have learned far more than I would have at a larger university.
“Cy-Fair College provides a foundation for me to better myself. I plan on transferring to a larger university one day, and my college provides everything I need to prepare for that step. Whether it is the guy that walks around with his face painted white or the guy that sports a Mohawk, I am constantly reminded of the diversity around me. Cy-Fair has made me realize that I am a part of this varied community.”
Alena Crosby - Kingwood College
“Before coming to Kingwood College, I was a 32-year-old, uneducated woman searching for any trivial job I could find to make ends meet. In high school I made awful grades no matter how hard I studied. I was 17, married, had a child and was an eleventh grade drop out. I struggled through three kids, three divorces, and thinking the whole time that this was all I deserved.
“I have changed my mind about what I wanted to major in with every class I have taken. I found that I am actually intelligent. I felt as though I was starving for knowledge and couldn’t get enough. Through the flexibility and different teaching styles of the professors, I learned that was not stupid after all. I realized that I can’t learn by reading and memorizing. I was amazed that when I started trying new methods of studying, I was remembering almost everything.
“When I graduate, I will be a registered nurse. I will have the knowledge, skills, and life experiences it takes to be a productive member of society. When I get up for work, I will know that I will help someone that day. Everyday for the for the rest of my professional life I will make a difference in someone else’s life and all the while showing my children that success can be accomplished even if you are a small town girl.”
Christine Cain - Montgomery College
“Three years ago, after twelve years of marriage, I got divorced, and I realized I would need a way to support my three children. I had some preconceptions about Montgomery College—that community colleges are for people who couldn’t make it in a “regular” university; that I wouldn’t be able to get a good education; that the students there don’t care as much because they’re just there for a few semesters. But I went ahead and enrolled anyway, because Montgomery College was close to home, and I could work my schedule around my kids’ schedules.
“Once classes started, I realized they were more challenging than I had anticipated, but they were more interesting as well. When I began asking questions, then more questions, one instructor suggested an Honors class so that I could learn the subject on a deeper level. I finally started feeling like if I could qualify for an Honors class, maybe I was a smart person after all.
“It hasn’t been only as wonderful as it sounds, however. My family and I have made many sacrifices along the way. I can’t remember the last book I read just for fun; and I haven’t been on a date in ages. My kids have had to give things up as well: I’m not the one who takes them to the park and pushes them on the swing in the afternoon. I don’t get to volunteer at their schools. And on their birthdays, my kids don’t get homemade birthday cakes that we all baked together. It’s hard for them to remember sometimes, but we all know that we’re giving some things up now to get bigger rewards in the future.”
Gustavo Linares - North Harris College
“College, a simple word isn't it? In high school, college appeared to be the scariest thing that I could think of. Now, thanks to North Harris College, I realize I was wrong. As an international student, I thought life would be hard coming into a new country. Although I was ready to go off by myself and meet new people, I was scared to death at the same time. I was afraid people would make fun of my accent and culture.
“Arriving at North Harris College in late January was a mind blowing experience. I remember waking up that day, my first day of college, knowing my life would never be the same. During the first weeks of my first semester, I still was a little bit insecure and scared of my new life here in America. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that all the professors and students of North Harris College were the best people I would ever meet.
“North Harris College has influenced my life like no other. There are no words to explain how my life has changed over the past years. I’ve grown in many ways. North Harris College is my second home. Whenever I grow old, I will be proud to say I was a student of North Harris College.”
Tumi Oni - Tomball College
“Since my teenage years, it had always been my dream to study in Europe or in the United States. I’m a Nigerian, and I love my country and the continent of Africa very much, but I always knew that I could get a better education outside of Africa. All I desired was to study in a country with all the necessary educational facilities and teachers to help me become the best in life. Being able to come to the United States seemed extremely impossible at first, but I never gave up. When I finally got my student visa and admission to Tomball College, I was so excited because I knew it was the beginning of great things to come.
“This is my fourth semester at Tomball College, and I must confess that I have enjoyed every class I have taken. The best part of being a student in this college is the opportunity to have a one-to-one teacher-student interaction with my teachers. It’s impossible to have such a relationship with teachers at the colleges in my country, so this is a motivating factor for me. It gives me the opportunity to learn more from my teachers, even outside class.
“By the time I finish my program here at Tomball College, I know I’ll be ready to face the challenges that may come my way in my career, and in life. Right now, I’m being equipped with the necessary intellectual and emotional resources to deal with the future. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a student at Tomball College. I know of a surety that I’m going to excel, and be the best at my career, because this college has taught me to be the best.”