Two students explain how attending Lone Star College-CyFair changed their trajectory of life toward success in the Lone Star College Foundation’s 29th annual Student Essay Contest to win scholarships.
Both winning essayists Marrz Lundquist and Eric Rivas were unsure of their futures until they found purpose and support at LSC-CyFair.
Pulled out of school at 15 and leaving a toxic home life, Lundquist went to live with a family friend and managed to eventually graduate high school only to fall into a depression. However, he later found enough courage to walk into LSC-CyFair where he was “greeted kindly at the door,” got registered and received extensive help from the financial aid office and advising staff.
In addition to grants relieving financial worries, amazing teachers in his online classes and meeting up with friends on campus, Lundquist said the scholarship has allowed him to continue studying with a stronger sense of conviction to reach his goals.
“My career goal is to work in the medical software industry as a software engineer. In order to do this, I need to get my bachelor’s in computer science,” said Lundquist. “Looking back, I now know that I am not alone in my journey and there are people willing to help me get to where I need to be.”
Rivas said he felt indifferent to what lay ahead when he graduated high school and waited unenthusiastically for his LSC-CyFair classes to begin. As he explored the campus, he said it was clear that students were the priority. From day one, he felt “welcomed, important and a burst of motivation” to take advantage of resources and enjoy his college experience.
At LSC-CyFair, Rivas found freedom to study subjects that genuinely interested him, kind classmates and caring professors, numerous resources from financial support to engaging with others through student organizations, and confidence in his academic ability.
“Being a student here gave me everything I need to be the best student I can be,” said Rivas, who is pursuing a business career, a degree which offers broad opportunities to do something meaningful every day. “From an uninspired kid just riding life out, to an ambitious student who dreams of success, Lone Star shifted not only the course of my academic career, but my life.”
These two students were among 14 scholarship recipients total from across the system recognized at the Chancellor’s Donor Appreciation Luncheon, where several recipients read their essays, including Rivas.
In addition to Lundquist and Rivas from LSC-CyFair, the other scholarship essay winners include: Jonathan Amaya and Destiny Ipina from LSC-Houston North; Elizabeth Preston and Demarco Rodriguez from LSC-Kingwood; Angelina Gamez and Tara Yeakey from LSC-Montgomery; Elizabeth Guajardo and Shiza Rubab from LSC-North Harris; Annette Preston and Madison Terry from LSC-Tomball; and Hien Doan and Urooj Rajput 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. The application deadline for fall semester other available LSC-CyFair scholarships is April 1.
For information on other foundation events, go to LoneStarCollegeFoundation.org. It’s not too late to take spring classes. For information on registering for Next Start 8-week sessions beginning in March, go to LoneStar.edu/registration.