Class of 2016 - College Sophomores
Erick Balthazar
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Erick is the son of Haitian parents who moved to America for better educational opportunities for themselves and their children. His parents are big on education and support him in every way possible to help him achieve success. His favorite course was AP US History. Even though the course was challenging, it pushed him to analyze history from a different perspective.
He spent a good amount of his time playing soccer for the ETHS varsity soccer team and received the All Sectional Honorable Mention award for the 2014 fall season. Outside of ETHS soccer, he played for a prestigious travel team called the Chicago Magic.
Erick plans to study finance at UIUC, expand his knowledge and follow in the footsteps of his brother and cousins.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Erick is the son of Haitian parents who moved to America for better educational opportunities for themselves and their children. His parents are big on education and support him in every way possible to help him achieve success. His favorite course was AP US History. Even though the course was challenging, it pushed him to analyze history from a different perspective.
He spent a good amount of his time playing soccer for the ETHS varsity soccer team and received the All Sectional Honorable Mention award for the 2014 fall season. Outside of ETHS soccer, he played for a prestigious travel team called the Chicago Magic.
Erick plans to study finance at UIUC, expand his knowledge and follow in the footsteps of his brother and cousins.
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Babajide Bamgbose
DePaul University Babajide's parents were born and raised in Nigeria and his dad immigrated to the United States in 1982 and his mom joined him in 1988. He was a member of the ETHS track team and participated in the hurdle and sprint events. He is a hardworking and determined individual. At ETHS, Trigonometry and the American Legal System were the classes he enjoyed most. He is not entirely sure what he specifically wants to study in college, but is considering medicine, business, or law. |
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Lulu Brown
Northern Illinois University Lulu is a very shy and responsible person who has big goals in life and always tries to do her best. She is a person who refuses to give up on something she believes in. Her family hails from Jamaica. In fact, during their junior year, her parents came to Evanston and attended ETHS. Her parents and many of the adults in her family did not attend college. Lulu knows that college will open the door to many great opportunities. She is undecided, but she will probably study business, social work, or criminal justice. |
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David Cadet University of Illinois at Springfield As a brother, a son and a student, David is a very hard-working individual. At ETHS, he especially loved math because it challenged him in so many different ways. David also enjoyed engaging with the Evanston community and worked on a documentary with Y.O.U about race in the community and inside the high school. His parents were born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. The fact that his parents and many others in his family did not have the opportunity to attend college strong influences his desire to do so and study engineering. He sees Evanston Scholars as the beginning of achieving his dream of attending college and succeeding. |
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Alexandra Caesar
University of Illinois at Chicago Alexandra is a very easy-going and thoughtful person, who loves putting a smile on people’s faces. She believes that being truthful and staying motivated will get you a long way. Being an only child raised by her father has taught her to be independent and work hard at everything she does. She greatly respects her father for the sacrifices he has made. At ETHS, she was on the girl's basketball team and also a part of the Leadership Program, Cooking Club, NAACP and Community Service club. Her favorite classes included math and Spanish; she would love to even study abroad in Spain. Becoming a 3rd grade teacher is her passion. She feels blessed to know that with Evanston Scholars, she is not alone, as she takes the next step in finding the right fit school. |
Chelcy Coronel
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
As a first generation student, Chelcy often finds it challenging to live up to certain expectations. Being one of four children, she has had to learn to do things independently much earlier than most. This background along with her parents and their enthusiasm for education and opportunity have made Chelcy persistent and driven to succeed. Both of her parents were raised in Mexico and did not have as many opportunities as there are in the USA.
Chelcy loves English, particularly writing and she participated in Latino Quest at ETHS. She is very interested in studying political science, Spanish, philosophy, and psychology. Evanston Scholars has significantly helped her siblings, and she cannot wait to pursue her own college dreams.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
As a first generation student, Chelcy often finds it challenging to live up to certain expectations. Being one of four children, she has had to learn to do things independently much earlier than most. This background along with her parents and their enthusiasm for education and opportunity have made Chelcy persistent and driven to succeed. Both of her parents were raised in Mexico and did not have as many opportunities as there are in the USA.
Chelcy loves English, particularly writing and she participated in Latino Quest at ETHS. She is very interested in studying political science, Spanish, philosophy, and psychology. Evanston Scholars has significantly helped her siblings, and she cannot wait to pursue her own college dreams.
Christyan DeLaCruz
DePaul University
Christyan is a hard working student who always tries to achieve the most. He strives for the best in and out of school. His family is originally from Mexico, but he has lived here for most of his life, so he considers himself both Mexican and American.
His favorite ETHS classes were US History and French, two subjects he found very interesting and that helped him grow as a person. Additionally, he enjoyed playing soccer, because it allowed him to meet new people, make new friends, travel, and make great memories. Occasionally, Christyan volunteered at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston or at ESCCA.
Right now, he loves Graphic Design. However, he feels that attending college will be a great accomplishment and will help him find a specific passion and career path.
DePaul University
Christyan is a hard working student who always tries to achieve the most. He strives for the best in and out of school. His family is originally from Mexico, but he has lived here for most of his life, so he considers himself both Mexican and American.
His favorite ETHS classes were US History and French, two subjects he found very interesting and that helped him grow as a person. Additionally, he enjoyed playing soccer, because it allowed him to meet new people, make new friends, travel, and make great memories. Occasionally, Christyan volunteered at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston or at ESCCA.
Right now, he loves Graphic Design. However, he feels that attending college will be a great accomplishment and will help him find a specific passion and career path.
Ashli Drummond
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Ashli was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and lived there for seven years before immigrating to the United States in 2004 with her family. She has done karate, cheerleading, track, dance, and figure skating, but her focus at ETHS shifted to arts and clubs, including Ambassadors, Writer’s Showcase, Peer Jury, and Orchestra.
Her favorite classes were English, History, and Orchestra. She enjoyed English because she is an avid reader and History because she loves learning about the past. But, Orchestra was her favorite, because she cannot imagine life without music. At UIUC, she hopes to study both Psychology and Nursing to prepare herself for a future working with children. She loves helping people and hopes to have a significant impact in the lives of others.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Ashli was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and lived there for seven years before immigrating to the United States in 2004 with her family. She has done karate, cheerleading, track, dance, and figure skating, but her focus at ETHS shifted to arts and clubs, including Ambassadors, Writer’s Showcase, Peer Jury, and Orchestra.
Her favorite classes were English, History, and Orchestra. She enjoyed English because she is an avid reader and History because she loves learning about the past. But, Orchestra was her favorite, because she cannot imagine life without music. At UIUC, she hopes to study both Psychology and Nursing to prepare herself for a future working with children. She loves helping people and hopes to have a significant impact in the lives of others.
Malcolm Gill
Eastern Illinois University
Malcolm is someone who sets and finishes goals. His mother always encourages him to put forward his best effort. She did not have time to finish college when she was younger because she migrated from Belize to the United States, where she completed an online college class to get her Bachelor's degree. He is the middle child and supports his older brother on tough decisions and helps guide his younger sister.
Malcolm was on the Volleyball and Bowling team. As a senior, he was in Robotics Club and worked part-time. His favorite class was math because it is what he wants to study in college to potentially pursue a career in engineering or game design.
Eastern Illinois University
Malcolm is someone who sets and finishes goals. His mother always encourages him to put forward his best effort. She did not have time to finish college when she was younger because she migrated from Belize to the United States, where she completed an online college class to get her Bachelor's degree. He is the middle child and supports his older brother on tough decisions and helps guide his younger sister.
Malcolm was on the Volleyball and Bowling team. As a senior, he was in Robotics Club and worked part-time. His favorite class was math because it is what he wants to study in college to potentially pursue a career in engineering or game design.
Whitney Giroux
University of Southern California
“If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else?” Whitney loves this quote, because one may encounter many negative people, and to counter it is important to know who you are and be completely confident in that. She has a little brother in middle school and an older sister at Vanderbilt University. Being a role model to her little brother and to her younger friends is of great importance to Whitney. Her mother and father are both Trinidadian and Tobagonian. Growing up, Whitney's parents encouraged her to study and work hard because the same opportunity rarely comes around twice.
Her favorite ETHS classes were history and band. She played the euphonium in concert band and the trumpet in Marching Band and also participated in track, Team ASAP, music mentorship, Pep Band, and is a singer/songwriter. She hopes to study Interior Design, Vocal Performance, or Vocal Jazz. She has always loved art and singing and USC will allow her to focus on both fields.
University of Southern California
“If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else?” Whitney loves this quote, because one may encounter many negative people, and to counter it is important to know who you are and be completely confident in that. She has a little brother in middle school and an older sister at Vanderbilt University. Being a role model to her little brother and to her younger friends is of great importance to Whitney. Her mother and father are both Trinidadian and Tobagonian. Growing up, Whitney's parents encouraged her to study and work hard because the same opportunity rarely comes around twice.
Her favorite ETHS classes were history and band. She played the euphonium in concert band and the trumpet in Marching Band and also participated in track, Team ASAP, music mentorship, Pep Band, and is a singer/songwriter. She hopes to study Interior Design, Vocal Performance, or Vocal Jazz. She has always loved art and singing and USC will allow her to focus on both fields.
Dejai Huffman
St. Louis University
Dejai was born in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. She jumped from school to school and never really felt like she was in a stable place, until she moved to Evanston in 3rd grade.
Her favorite class at ETHS was her AP Physics 1 class. Dejai loves to sing, dance and act. She was a Pomkit and a part of the Global Visionaries’ Leadership Program. She would potentially like to become an industrial and organizational psychologist. Most importantly, she wishes to attend college because she has a great desire to succeed and to be the first in her family to graduate college. Her parents always tell her and her younger sister that, “you can do anything you put your mind to” and Dejai believes that to be the truth.
St. Louis University
Dejai was born in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. She jumped from school to school and never really felt like she was in a stable place, until she moved to Evanston in 3rd grade.
Her favorite class at ETHS was her AP Physics 1 class. Dejai loves to sing, dance and act. She was a Pomkit and a part of the Global Visionaries’ Leadership Program. She would potentially like to become an industrial and organizational psychologist. Most importantly, she wishes to attend college because she has a great desire to succeed and to be the first in her family to graduate college. Her parents always tell her and her younger sister that, “you can do anything you put your mind to” and Dejai believes that to be the truth.
Amarii Johnson
Ohio Wesleyan University
Being the youngest of three, Amarii has many people to make proud. She is a hard working girl who always has her head in a book, whether for studying or leisurely reading. Growing up she faced a lot of struggles, but she always overcomes her difficulties and keeps the lessons with her.
Amarii is very athletic and loves sports. At ETHS, she was on the track team and she also played basketball. She was a member of Team ASAP and the Women Empowerment Club. Her favorite classes were Anatomy and AP US history. At OWU, she wants to major in physical therapy and is confident Evanston Scholars will help lead her to her goals.
Ohio Wesleyan University
Being the youngest of three, Amarii has many people to make proud. She is a hard working girl who always has her head in a book, whether for studying or leisurely reading. Growing up she faced a lot of struggles, but she always overcomes her difficulties and keeps the lessons with her.
Amarii is very athletic and loves sports. At ETHS, she was on the track team and she also played basketball. She was a member of Team ASAP and the Women Empowerment Club. Her favorite classes were Anatomy and AP US history. At OWU, she wants to major in physical therapy and is confident Evanston Scholars will help lead her to her goals.
Matthew Jung
Sewanee - University of the South
Born in Korea, Matthew has lived in China, England, New York, and Pennsylvania. He sees himself as someone who can achieve almost anything he puts his mind to. For example, he used to weigh 170 pounds, but lost 30 pounds in 7 months. He likes sports, but does not like to play competitively, except for ping-pong. He also enjoys badminton and frisbee.
At ETHS, he enjoyed AP US History and Lifeguarding class. He plans to study environmental science and math and pursue a career helping preserve wildlife and helping animals survive. He would also like to learn how to sing and maybe dance. Matthew believes that Evanston Scholars will help students become men and women who will help change this world.
Sewanee - University of the South
Born in Korea, Matthew has lived in China, England, New York, and Pennsylvania. He sees himself as someone who can achieve almost anything he puts his mind to. For example, he used to weigh 170 pounds, but lost 30 pounds in 7 months. He likes sports, but does not like to play competitively, except for ping-pong. He also enjoys badminton and frisbee.
At ETHS, he enjoyed AP US History and Lifeguarding class. He plans to study environmental science and math and pursue a career helping preserve wildlife and helping animals survive. He would also like to learn how to sing and maybe dance. Matthew believes that Evanston Scholars will help students become men and women who will help change this world.
Sylvannah Lang
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Sylvannah has two sisters and an extremely supportive mother. Her grandfather was Cherokee and her grandmother was African American. The majority of her family resides in Georgia.
Sylvannah's family has always encouraged her to work hard and as a result, she has become someone always who plans ahead. Starting her freshman in high school, she has planned out her life to ensure that she was where she needed to be academically. Sylvanna wants to go to college because she wants to do better for herself and her family. She believes that college will allow her to provide for her mother, who once paused her own dreams to take care of Sylvannah. She enjoys playing golf, volunteering, and tutoring and doing anything to put a smile on someone’s face and help them in any way possible.
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Sylvannah has two sisters and an extremely supportive mother. Her grandfather was Cherokee and her grandmother was African American. The majority of her family resides in Georgia.
Sylvannah's family has always encouraged her to work hard and as a result, she has become someone always who plans ahead. Starting her freshman in high school, she has planned out her life to ensure that she was where she needed to be academically. Sylvanna wants to go to college because she wants to do better for herself and her family. She believes that college will allow her to provide for her mother, who once paused her own dreams to take care of Sylvannah. She enjoys playing golf, volunteering, and tutoring and doing anything to put a smile on someone’s face and help them in any way possible.
Jada Marriott
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Jada is an artistic visionary who enjoys taking photos and drawing in her free time. Since receiving her first camera, she has been in love with the art of photography. She has won various awards for her work, including Special Congressional Recognition in the Congressional Art Competition for High School Students.
Jada was the co-leader of the ETHS Photo Club and took photos for the yearbook and the Evanstonian. In addition, Jada was an active member of her church Youth Group and Team ASAP and she managed the ETHS Varsity Boys Soccer Team. Her mother is white and her father emigrated from Jamaica when he was 9 years old. She is the second Evanston Scholar in her family. Jada plans to study engineering or architecture and art/photography.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Jada is an artistic visionary who enjoys taking photos and drawing in her free time. Since receiving her first camera, she has been in love with the art of photography. She has won various awards for her work, including Special Congressional Recognition in the Congressional Art Competition for High School Students.
Jada was the co-leader of the ETHS Photo Club and took photos for the yearbook and the Evanstonian. In addition, Jada was an active member of her church Youth Group and Team ASAP and she managed the ETHS Varsity Boys Soccer Team. Her mother is white and her father emigrated from Jamaica when he was 9 years old. She is the second Evanston Scholar in her family. Jada plans to study engineering or architecture and art/photography.
Leslie Martinez
Illinois State University
Leslie considers herself to be a girl who never quits. She is a proud Mexican-American and her parents often remind her about all of the opportunities that she has. There has not been one moment where she has doubted her parents' and her brother's support. Leslie does not have any younger siblings but her family sees her as a good role model for her little cousins because of how well she does academically and how she is as a person.
At ETHS, Leslie, enjoyed chemistry, English, and sign language. She was also involved with Latino Quest, Team ASAP and Latin Dance Club.
Her main motivation for going to college is to make her parents proud. She would like to be a pediatrician because she loves working with kids and has a keen interest in the medical field.
Illinois State University
Leslie considers herself to be a girl who never quits. She is a proud Mexican-American and her parents often remind her about all of the opportunities that she has. There has not been one moment where she has doubted her parents' and her brother's support. Leslie does not have any younger siblings but her family sees her as a good role model for her little cousins because of how well she does academically and how she is as a person.
At ETHS, Leslie, enjoyed chemistry, English, and sign language. She was also involved with Latino Quest, Team ASAP and Latin Dance Club.
Her main motivation for going to college is to make her parents proud. She would like to be a pediatrician because she loves working with kids and has a keen interest in the medical field.
Michelle Pacheco
Washington University in St. Louis
Michelle's parents are both from Mexico and they have worked hard all their lives to open doors for Michelle and her brother. She is grateful to her parents for being supportive and teaching her to be spontaneous. Her parents both finished high school, but their education did not go past that. She is so proud of what her family has accomplished. They motivate her to do better each day.
Michelle loves sports, traveling, and art. She is a swimmer and although it may involve morning practices at 6 am, it has helped her greatly with time management. Her favorite ETHS classes were AP biology and any sort of art class. She wants to go to college because it is an important time not only career-wise, but emotionally as well where she will learn to be on her own and experience something completely different. The road to becoming an orthodontist and opening her own clinic will be long, but she is excited to see what the future has in store.
Washington University in St. Louis
Michelle's parents are both from Mexico and they have worked hard all their lives to open doors for Michelle and her brother. She is grateful to her parents for being supportive and teaching her to be spontaneous. Her parents both finished high school, but their education did not go past that. She is so proud of what her family has accomplished. They motivate her to do better each day.
Michelle loves sports, traveling, and art. She is a swimmer and although it may involve morning practices at 6 am, it has helped her greatly with time management. Her favorite ETHS classes were AP biology and any sort of art class. She wants to go to college because it is an important time not only career-wise, but emotionally as well where she will learn to be on her own and experience something completely different. The road to becoming an orthodontist and opening her own clinic will be long, but she is excited to see what the future has in store.
Joshua Pearson
Denison University
People have always told Josh that he looks like someone who is going to make the best of his life. Being a black male and Jamaican, he knows it will be harder for him than the next person. But, Josh comes from a family that values education and success.
At ETHS, Josh was involved in book club, community service club, and team ASAP. He liked these clubs because they introduced him to new people and new connections and opportunities.
Without education, Josh feels you have nothing. His favorite academic classes are Math and Science and he plans to pursue a career in petroleum engineering. College opens up doors, and he cannot wait to go through them.
Denison University
People have always told Josh that he looks like someone who is going to make the best of his life. Being a black male and Jamaican, he knows it will be harder for him than the next person. But, Josh comes from a family that values education and success.
At ETHS, Josh was involved in book club, community service club, and team ASAP. He liked these clubs because they introduced him to new people and new connections and opportunities.
Without education, Josh feels you have nothing. His favorite academic classes are Math and Science and he plans to pursue a career in petroleum engineering. College opens up doors, and he cannot wait to go through them.
Zoe Ryan-Hubbard
Baldwin Wallace University
Zoe tries her hardest to be a strong person spiritually, physically, and mentally. Having the support from her Dad has really pushed her into becoming the person that she is today.
For most of her life, Zoe has been surrounded by music. Around age nine, she started to take music lessons. Later, she began to play in my middle school band, and eventually in high school. She continues to study music and hope to pursue a career in music. At ETHS, she was one of the Marching Band drum majors and loved every minute of it. Zoe was also a part of the basketball pep band.
Baldwin Wallace University
Zoe tries her hardest to be a strong person spiritually, physically, and mentally. Having the support from her Dad has really pushed her into becoming the person that she is today.
For most of her life, Zoe has been surrounded by music. Around age nine, she started to take music lessons. Later, she began to play in my middle school band, and eventually in high school. She continues to study music and hope to pursue a career in music. At ETHS, she was one of the Marching Band drum majors and loved every minute of it. Zoe was also a part of the basketball pep band.
Yuli Salgado
University of Illinois at Springfield
Yuli is the oldest of three sisters, for whom she tries to be a role model. Both of her parents are from Mexico. Her father did not have the opportunity to attend school like her mother, because his family did not have enough money to send him and all of his siblings to school. Her parents always tell her to do her best. They want her to stay in school, because they recognize the importance of education.
Her favorite class at ETHS was Child Development because she liked learning about how children develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. Yuli wants to be a preschool or an elementary school teacher. For extracurricular activities, she volunteered at Oakton Elementary School and the Howard Area Community Center. She was also involved in Latino Quest.
University of Illinois at Springfield
Yuli is the oldest of three sisters, for whom she tries to be a role model. Both of her parents are from Mexico. Her father did not have the opportunity to attend school like her mother, because his family did not have enough money to send him and all of his siblings to school. Her parents always tell her to do her best. They want her to stay in school, because they recognize the importance of education.
Her favorite class at ETHS was Child Development because she liked learning about how children develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. Yuli wants to be a preschool or an elementary school teacher. For extracurricular activities, she volunteered at Oakton Elementary School and the Howard Area Community Center. She was also involved in Latino Quest.
Aisha Steele
University of Iowa
Aisha is an ambitious and determined girl who loves to learn and is very excited about being in college. As of now, she wants to study something focusing on childcare or neonatal nursing.
She has a great support system, both of her parents continually push her to do my best, especially her mother who encourages her to excel. Aisha was born and raised in Evanston. Her father was born here and her mother was born in Jamaica. She has two older sisters.
Aisha loves cheerleading, and has been cheering since 6th grade. She was a varsity cheerleader at ETHS since she was a freshman. Her favorite academic class was AP Language and Composition AP, a rigorous course that she truly enjoyed. Aisha is really excited to be a part of Evanston Scholars and sees it as the perfect program to help her navigate the next 4 years.
University of Iowa
Aisha is an ambitious and determined girl who loves to learn and is very excited about being in college. As of now, she wants to study something focusing on childcare or neonatal nursing.
She has a great support system, both of her parents continually push her to do my best, especially her mother who encourages her to excel. Aisha was born and raised in Evanston. Her father was born here and her mother was born in Jamaica. She has two older sisters.
Aisha loves cheerleading, and has been cheering since 6th grade. She was a varsity cheerleader at ETHS since she was a freshman. Her favorite academic class was AP Language and Composition AP, a rigorous course that she truly enjoyed. Aisha is really excited to be a part of Evanston Scholars and sees it as the perfect program to help her navigate the next 4 years.
Gabrielle Stirgus
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Gabrielle is a very ambitious young lady who knows exactly what she wants. When she grows up, she wants to become a pediatrician. She knows it will not be easy, but she will not give up until she has accomplished that goal. Gabrielle’s mother raised her alone and is her major support system and always helps Gabrielle accomplish her goals. Out of nine children, her mother was the only one to attend college and she plans to continue in her footsteps.
At ETHS, Gabrielle enjoyed Math and Anatomy. Math has always been one of her strongest subjects and her like for Anatomy stems from her interest in the medical field. She always tries her best in school and her grades have reflected that. She loves Cheerleading and was on the team since freshmen year and was team captain last year.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Gabrielle is a very ambitious young lady who knows exactly what she wants. When she grows up, she wants to become a pediatrician. She knows it will not be easy, but she will not give up until she has accomplished that goal. Gabrielle’s mother raised her alone and is her major support system and always helps Gabrielle accomplish her goals. Out of nine children, her mother was the only one to attend college and she plans to continue in her footsteps.
At ETHS, Gabrielle enjoyed Math and Anatomy. Math has always been one of her strongest subjects and her like for Anatomy stems from her interest in the medical field. She always tries her best in school and her grades have reflected that. She loves Cheerleading and was on the team since freshmen year and was team captain last year.
Jesus Villaseñor
Northwestern University
Jesus is from El Sabino, a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. He is a hard working person in and out of school. As one of three children, he wants nothing more than to succeed, so that he can help his family later on.
Through soccer, he has learned the valuable lessons of never giving up and always putting in all your effort. At ETHS, he was involved in Latino Quest and Minority Student Achievement Network. Through both organizations, he helped motivate other minorities and demonstrate that it is possible to succeed if only they challenged themselves. He told them: What is the point of life if you are not challenging yourself?
That is why he enjoys math because it is not easy. He likes the idea that “challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” He believes that putting in the hard work now will pay off in the long run.
Northwestern University
Jesus is from El Sabino, a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. He is a hard working person in and out of school. As one of three children, he wants nothing more than to succeed, so that he can help his family later on.
Through soccer, he has learned the valuable lessons of never giving up and always putting in all your effort. At ETHS, he was involved in Latino Quest and Minority Student Achievement Network. Through both organizations, he helped motivate other minorities and demonstrate that it is possible to succeed if only they challenged themselves. He told them: What is the point of life if you are not challenging yourself?
That is why he enjoys math because it is not easy. He likes the idea that “challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” He believes that putting in the hard work now will pay off in the long run.
Cherese Waight
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Cherese is a girl that is determined to make something of herself. She comes from a family that supports any decision she makes and will help her achieve her dreams. She has always had a thirst for knowledge, and knows that there is something new to learn every day. No matter what life throws at you there is an opportunity to learn from it. At ETHS, her favorite subjects were math and science. At UIUC, Cherese plans to major in Environmental Science.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Cherese is a girl that is determined to make something of herself. She comes from a family that supports any decision she makes and will help her achieve her dreams. She has always had a thirst for knowledge, and knows that there is something new to learn every day. No matter what life throws at you there is an opportunity to learn from it. At ETHS, her favorite subjects were math and science. At UIUC, Cherese plans to major in Environmental Science.
Brenda Zamudio
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Brenda is a very self-motivated and goal-oriented girl. Her love for math grows each
day and she dreams of becoming an accountant. Something else Brenda loves is working with kids and she enjoys babysitting during her free time.
Growing up with a single mother, Brenda has learned that you have to work hard to get what you want. You do not just get things handed to you, even if you are an only child like her. She is part of not one, but two cultures; Mexican and American, and she has always been proud of that. Her motivation to succeed in life is her mother. She has done so much for Brenda, and Brenda feels like the least she can do is make her mother proud and be the first in her family to go to college and have a career. Having a job, going to school, studying, and doing homework is not easy, but she knows that at the end of the day all of her hard work is going to pay off.
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Brenda is a very self-motivated and goal-oriented girl. Her love for math grows each
day and she dreams of becoming an accountant. Something else Brenda loves is working with kids and she enjoys babysitting during her free time.
Growing up with a single mother, Brenda has learned that you have to work hard to get what you want. You do not just get things handed to you, even if you are an only child like her. She is part of not one, but two cultures; Mexican and American, and she has always been proud of that. Her motivation to succeed in life is her mother. She has done so much for Brenda, and Brenda feels like the least she can do is make her mother proud and be the first in her family to go to college and have a career. Having a job, going to school, studying, and doing homework is not easy, but she knows that at the end of the day all of her hard work is going to pay off.
