Lone Star College-CyFair’s student essay scholarship winners recently share how their college experience and a financial helping hand impacts their journey toward future careers in neuro-oncology and advertising.
Former Dual Credit and current Honors College students Autumn Hildebrand and Belen Worsham were among 14 scholarship recipients total from across the system recognized in the LSC Foundation’s 28th student essay contest.
“This scholarship means I will be able to finish up my last semester at Lone Star debt-free, and that is an incredible privilege that I am beyond grateful to have,” said Hildebrand, who started LSC-CyFair a year ahead of other classmates after taking Dual Credit courses in high school.
Nervous about continuing her college journey through virtual learning due to the pandemic, Hildebrand found alternative formats such as Zoom breakout rooms, GroupMe, and text messaging, to gain communication and networking skills as well as bond with classmates and make lifelong friends.
“I've learned to reach high in all aspects of life, and that if one door closes, another one will always open. These are lessons that will mold me into both a stronger student and prospective neuro-oncologist,” said this upcoming May graduate who plans to attend the University of Texas MD Anderson to pursue her interest in neuro-oncology.
“LSC-CyFair has taught me more than just academics. I learned that it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and that communication with others is the key to all success,” she said. “Starting out at Lone Star has given me the chance to look at all my options; and has helped me determine a path, future goals, that I am passionate and excited about; and has inspired me to try nothing less than everything.”
Worsham said LSC-CyFair serves as the foundation for her personal accomplishment as an independent adult who has learned to be more flexible, open about her future and thankful during this pandemic chaos.
Monthly trips to the college library with her brother “to fill their kiddie suitcases full of books” and later taking Dual Credit courses helped this homeschooler feel at ease at LSC-CyFair. Now she is discovering how to handle “the real world,” that diversity of thought and world views are essential, that individuality and opinions with respectful conduct are accepted and expected, and that time management and education is her responsibility.
“I have learned to expect the most out of myself and hold myself accountable instead of making excuses. Life happens, but I, as an adult, have to either push through and get my work done or accept the consequences of not completing what I have been tasked to do. Lone Star College expects a lot of me, and these expectations have pushed me to change into a more responsible person in my academic and personal life.”
With plans to transfer to the University of North Texas for a journalism degree with a concentration in advertising, Worsham said the scholarship is a boost of confidence in her personal and academic abilities which will help in reaching professional goals as well.
In addition to Hildebrand and Worsham from LSC-CyFair, the other scholarship essay winners include: Tien Truong and Alexis Samuel from LSC-Houston North; Xitali Mujica and Jennifer Rivera from LSC-Kingwood; Andres Lopez and Tania Claveria from LSC-Montgomery; Maegan Dillah and Phuoc Hung Nguyen from LSC-North Harris; Annamarie Manriquez and Emma Beard from LSC-Tomball; and Enrique Paz and Andrea Gonzalez from LSC-University Park.
Each of the essay winners received $1,000 scholarships made possible thanks to the generosity of LSC Foundation donors and supporters. To view their videos click here.
For information on other foundation events, go to LoneStarCollegeFoundation.org. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu/Cyfair
May Mini-mester and summer registration is underway. Go to LoneStar.edu/regcyfair for information. LSC spring open houses will be held this April with LSC-CyFair’s set for 4 p.m. April 15. For information go to LoneStar.edu/openhouse.