Voices of Gratitude: 2022/2023 Scholarship Recipients

Ana Sanchez
David & Jean Wiley Foundation Scholarship

Eliseo Gonzalez
Pepsico UPLIFT Scholar

Trent Murrell
David & Jean Wiley Foundation Scholarship

Jason Lambert
Foundation Scholarship
Also featuring Alanna Combs, Dr. Lonnie Howard Scholarship and & Laila Combs, HCC Foundation Scholarship

Sohee Parks, HCC Foundation Scholarship Ambassador 

  “This scholarship reminded me of who I am.” 

HCC Engineering student Sohee Park had big dreams when she came to HCC.

 

Sohee shared in her thank-you letter to her Foundation scholarship donor that she hails from a very small village in Korea, where frogs from the rice field visited her home every monsoon season. “For fun, I would gather small pebbles and roll them up in a large leaf,” she wrote. “Becoming a chemical engineer seems like a far-fetched dream for a child who used to make sushi out of pebbles. Nevertheless, I am one step closer to becoming an engineer through the support of gracious donors like you.”

 

Sohee says the support she received from the HCC Foundation as a recipient of the Dr. Zachary Hodges Engineering Scholarship did much more than simply alleviate her financial burden. “This scholarship reminded me of who I am. Many times, I felt that I was not intelligent, but I knew I had the diligence and perseverance that got me this scholarship.”

 

Sohee is completing her classes at HCC this fall for an Associate of Science in Engineering Science before continuing her education at Texas A&M University.

 

To her benefactors, Sohee says, “The most important thing I received from you is that you showed me a model of what kind of person I want to be. I want to be a giver just like you.”

 

School comes first for the high-achieving student; however, Sohee also enjoys playing guitar, dancing, and studying with her friends.

 

Sohee’s persistence has not gone unnoticed. In addition, to support received from the HCC Foundation, Sohee recently learned that she is a recipient of a scholarship from the Korean American Scholarship Foundation.

 

“Every scholarship encourages me to dream a little bigger, so this is a very exciting moment.”

 

 

Voices of Gratitude: Scholarship Recipient Quotes 

 

"I hope one day that I will also be able to help other students reach their goals in higher education by assisting them in the same way you are helping me. Thank you for your generosity."
Ngolo Sanogo, HCC Foundation Scholarship Ambassador

"My lifelong dream of providing a better life for my kids is moving forward, thank to generous educational scholarships like yours. My dream is becoming a reality at HCC."
William Patrick, HCC Foundation Annual Scholarship

"I am not ashamed to ask for support. I am ashamed to give up... Thank you for your willing heart to help those with a desire to succeed."
Sohee Parks, HCC Foundation Scholarship Ambassador

"My wife and I are just starting our lives together. Returning to school is costly, but necessary. Your generosity allows us to work toward our collective future and we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for the opportunity you have given me."
Francisco Estrada, EHCMA Workforce Development Scholarship