Every year, The Lone Star College Foundation hosts “The Chancellor’s Breakfast,” an event to showcase how donor contributions make a difference in the lives of LSC students and to express appreciation for their partnership and support.
This year’s breakfast will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The event will highlight student essay winners from across all six campuses, including Dusti Miller from LSC-North Harris and Johnesia Davis from
LSC-Victory Center. Student contestants were asked to write an essay on “How My Lone Star College Experience Has Influenced My Life.” All finalists received a $1,000 scholarship.
Miller is a self-described “non-traditional,” first generation college student and the mother of a blended family of eight children. Her essay details her journey from foster care, abuse and addiction, into the successful college student she is today.
“Our family is loud and crazy, and mixed-up and confusing, but we have made a home together,” she wrote in her essay. “Being a mom to my family has taught me dedication, perseverance, and loyalty, and gives me an indefatigability to attend class and to continue fighting for the education I should have received too many years ago.”
Miller began her education at LSC-North Harris with one math class. During that semester, both her father and grandmother passed away. Despite these events, and missing nearly six weeks of school due to family obligations, she “survived” with a 3.0 GPA.
“I fail more than I succeed, and my life has a fantastic habit of interfering with my education. I struggle to study, testing is difficult and I miss more class than I should, but I’m trying,” she wrote. “LSC-North Harris gives me the opportunity I’ve needed, and I’d be ashamed to quit, so today, I am grateful. I am at peace, and I am fighting, but most of all, I simply am.”
Davis began her studies at Lone Star College-Victory Center after a five-year break from school, and she credits her decision to wanting a better life for her and her child. Her essay details how well she was welcomed by LSC faculty and staff, the “great resources on campus” that keep her on track and interested in her education.
“I found that it is important to attend an institution where I will receive an excellent education with dedicated and supportive professors,” she wrote. “Furthermore, a college that would be convenient for my life and provides resources for working students like myself.”
Davis’ first semester of college began with two summer semester classes. She says she was nervous taking an English class after not writing an essay in more than seven years. However, she notes how much the professor cared and walked them through the writing process.
“The professor actually cared to see me and the other students grow and cherished our process,” she recalled. “It is rare to have a professor go the extra mile for their students’ education; especially on a college level.”
Each student essay winner was chosen based on an evaluation rubric that included writing style, grammar, form, inspirational/student success, and willingness to participate in activities. To qualify, students had to be enrolled full-time at an LSC campus or center, earned their high school diploma or GED certification, pursuing their first degree or certificate and not be a previous winner.
The $1,000 scholarship Miller and Davis received recognizes the perseverance and excellence they have demonstrated at LSC-North Harris.
Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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