FALL 2008 - UW-Milwaukee

Scholarship Winnerscontinued from previous pageAlex Girgis (WAUKESHA, WI)WAUKESHA SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLCURRENT PLAN: UNDECIDEDDuring high school, Alex earnedrecognition for his role in activities asvaried as wrestling, track, and debate.He cites his father, who passed awayfrom complications of diabetes, as aninspiration. Alex, in his high-energyway, hosted a Movie Night fundraiserfor the American Diabetes Associationto help raise funds towards finding a cure and helpingfamilies living with the disease.Alex describes UWM as a place he has always felt athome and considers the scholarship evidence of wherehard work, dedication, and discipline can lead.Megan Glass(MENOMONEE FALLS, WI)MENOMONEE FALLS HIGH SCHOOLCURRENT PLAN: NURSINGMegan credits her volunteer workwith elementary school students forhelping her learn to be an excellentlistener. This active listening skillhelps with all of her leadership roles,from leading a cheerleading squad tointerning in a medical apprenticeship.Unity among people is a goal for Megan, and shebelieves “it is OK to be friends with people from all walks oflife! Be respectful of each other’s differences.” UWM’sdiversity drew her to this campus, as well as the university’sstrength in her intended major, nursing.Estee Guzman (MILWAUKEE, WI)ALEXANDER HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOLCURRENT PLAN: COMMUNICATION SCIENCESAND DISORDERSAs a four-year volleyball and soccerteam player, Estee was namedcaptain and assistant captain of thoseteams in her senior year. Her lengthylist of activities includes academics aswell. Estee describes her father andbrothers as a “huge inspiration” forfounding the group Por La Gente, which means “for thepeople.” The organization hosts sports tournaments forunderrepresented youths and adults, and awards scholarships.For Estee, the scholarship is evidence that “all the hardwork, dedication, and always going that extra mile has trulypaid off.” She adds, “No longer do I have to worry aboutfinancial matters, but I can concentrate fully on my studies.”Estee chose UWM because of its diversity and manyactivities, and because “the students and faculty have alwaysbeen kind and helpful to me, and the support from themwill guide me to success.”Diego Hernandez (PLAINFIELD, IL)Plainfield North High SchoolCURRENT PLAN: Architectural StudiesDiego’s high school interests rangedfrom soccer to track and field toDrama Club (as a director) and thevice presidency of Societe Honorairede Francais. His mother has been agreat inspiration to him. “We movedto the U.S. from Colombia in 2001.Even though she had never been tothe U.S. before and did not speak English, she wasrecognized as one of the most influential Hispanic leadersin the Atlanta area in 2003 because of her work in thecommunity.” The birth of his now four-year-old sister madehim realize that, as an older brother, he is her “role modeland leader.”Diego says he chose UWM because the university“always seems to be going through changes and renovationsto improve our learning experience, as well as our overallcollege experience. UWM always has its students in mindfirst.” For him, the scholarship means he can now attend agreat university away from home that is also going to allowhim to grow as a person.Kimberly Mua (STILLWATER, MN)STILLWATER AREA HIGH SCHOOLCURRENT PLAN: GLOBAL STUDIESThrough her volunteer work, Kimberlyhas been able to introduce studentswho were failing to alternativelearning methods, and refer thesestudents to those in the schoolsystem and community that couldhelp them. In spring 2006, sheattended Close-Up, a week-long program that investigatesthe legislative process in Washington D.C., which showedher how diverse the capitol is. The experience renewed herpassion for education.As a Minnesota resident, Kimberly first became interestedin UWM when she read a brochure about UWM at her highschool’s career center. After a campus visit, she “felt like apart of me connected” to UWM. Winning the scholarshipsealed the final decision for her.6 Fall 2008/Myriad