Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch: Start Close. Go Far.
Students from across the Lone Star College system shared personal stories of achievement and commitment that helped them succeed in their education during the 29th annual Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch.
"This event helps remind me what an important role Lone Star College plays in the lives of our students," said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC Chancellor. "I am proud of their efforts and grateful to them for sharing their personal stories with our donors."
The Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch, sponsored by Entergy Texas, Inc., recognized 14 LSC students, two from each college, for their winning essays. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship made possible by the generosity of LSC Foundation donors and supporters.
Eric Rivas, LSC-CyFair; Jonathan Amaya, LSC-Houston North; Elizabeth Preston, LSC-Kingwood; Tara Yeakey, LSC-Montgomery; Elizabeth Guajardo, LSC-Houston North; Madison Terry, LSC-Tomball; and Urooj Rajput, LSC-University Park were selected to read their essays to the lunch attendees.
LSC Foundation scholarships were also awarded to Marrz Lundquist, LSC-CyFair; Destiny Ipina, LSC-Houston North; Demarco Rodriguez, LSC-Kingwood; Angelina Gamez, LSC-Montgomery; Shiza Rubab, LSC-North Harris; Annette Preston, LSC-Tomball; and Hien Doan, LSC-University Park.
"Listening to these students share their stories was personally inspiring," said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSC Foundation executive director. "I am grateful to the many generous individuals, families, businesses and foundations which help Lone Star College students achieve their dreams with these scholarships."
LSC students were invited to participate in the essay contest to write about "How my Lone Star College experience has influenced my life." Winners were selected by campus committees before the lunch event, which was held Feb. 16 at the Lone Star Community Building in The Woodlands.
Congrats to all of the winners!
Scroll below and click on the student's photo to hear from this year's student essay winners who spoke at the Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch.
Jonathan Amaya, LSC-Houston North
"Lone Star College has shaped my life for the better, giving me determination, passion, support, and many life skills that I will use for the rest of my life. I hope to constantly keep growing and to continue to be a part of Lone Star College-Houston North."
Elizabeth Guajardo, LSC-North Harris
"Lone Star College has given me a sense of commitment, shown me that we are all unified as a community for others, and provided me with a stable foundation upon which to build not only my academic, but my professional career, as well."
Elizabeth Preston, LSC-Kingwood
"I am beyond grateful to have started my academic career at Lone Star College. I have learned that college is not easy, and as I embark on my second semester of college, my fearfulness has been replaced with reassurance that I will succeed."
Urooj Rajput, LSC-University Park
"Lone Star College has completely changed my understanding of life and has taught me to be responsible, confident and organized; these skills are crucial to success. Can't thank the college enough for shaping me into who I am today."
Eric Rivas, LSC-CyFair
"Through the course of one semester, I've matured in more ways than I could have imagined. From being an uninspired kid just riding life out to becoming an ambitious student who dreams of success, Lone Star College shifted not only the course of my academic career but of my life."
Madison Terry, LSC-Tomball
"As a first-generation college student, the opportunity to be a pre-professional leader, conduct insightful research and have international internship opportunities would not have been possible without the advocates from Lone Star College."
Tara Yeakey, LSC-Montgomery
"Until enrolling at Lone Star College, I thought I had done all that I could do with my life. Now I know that I have only just begun, and I have so much potential. My family is very proud of the person I have evolved into and they are very supportive as well."