Washington Scholarship Fund

Stories of Success:
WSF Students, Families, Alumni, and Educators

 

Nancy and Consuelo Delgado

Nancy Delgado’s journey to higher education offers particular inspiration. Currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland (College Park), before middle school she was living in Peru and didn’t speak a word of English. When Nancy was five years old, her mother Consuelo made the difficult decision to move to the States to make more money for the family, leaving young Nancy behind. When mother and daughter were reunited in 1999, Nancy recalls: “I did not recognize her when she knocked on the door. I opened the door and she began to cry because she saw me so grown up and she left me so little. I was shocked and began to cry as well because I could finally hug my mom and be with her for the rest of my life.”

Nancy’s initial transition was rough. “My entire sixth grade I was put in the [English as a Second Language] classes. I sometimes went home crying, telling my mom that I did not want to go to school anymore because I wanted to be like the other kids that went to regular classes.”

Nancy hit her stride academically and was awarded a Signature Scholarship through WSF to attend Good Counsel High School. “I will never forget that WSF has been a big part of my life throughout my years of education. They have helped me so much and I never let WSF down with my grades.” Now at the university of her dreams, Nancy is poised for even more success.

Carlos and Pam Battle

In his fourth year with an Opportunity Scholarship, Carlos is a sophomore at Georgetown Day School. Carlos’ mom, Pam, understands the importance of this program—not only for the impact on her two sons with scholarships but also for scores of other children across the city—and so she hosts “tupperware”-style neighborhood meetings in her own home to help families learn About Us’s programs.

Through the scholarship, Carlos has had so many new doors open for him at his new school. He’s a superstar on the basketball team, is acting in plays through the drama department, and wrote an inspiring poem he has published and presented at numerous public venues. In the summer of 2007 he interned in the WSF offices and had an opportunity to thank WSF’s generous donors for their investments. Here’s a short excerpt:

“For the past three years, the scholarships I have received through the Washington Scholarship Fund have afforded me countless opportunities, but most important I have been given the chance to better myself. Now, instead of wanting to be someone who is well-known on the streets, I’d rather be someone who is well-known for his education, communication, and advocacy skills. I now no longer have to worry about fights breaking out in my classroom, or being threatened on a constant basis. With this security I’m able to focus harder and become more active in my school’s community.

Even better, I can look forward to the future. If I keep on this same track, I am almost guaranteed a better future for my family, and for myself. This scholarship has opened doors for me to become what I strive to be, a lawyer. I know this scholarship means just as much, or even more, for other kids all over D.C. They now have ambitions and higher standards that they might not have set for themselves without their scholarships.

Thanks for believing in us, and for giving the adults of tomorrow hope!”

Zachary Tanner

Student Zachary Tanner, a WSF Opportunity Scholar, was graduating from the eighth grade at St. Ann’s Academy when he was selected to speak at WSF’s 2007 graduation celebration. In front of over 300 guests and fellow eighth and twelfth grade graduates at the historic Lincoln Theatre, Zachary spoke of how his scholarship allows him to test and challenge himself in new ways and how it has eased the financial burden on his family. Now a freshman at St. Johns College High School, Zachary is an academic and athletic star.

Heather Prigg

Student Heather Prigg, a WSF Signature Scholar, also spoke at WSF's 2007 graduation celebration just days before her own graduation from Archbishop Carroll High School. She gave advice to the students in attendance, saying they must work extremely hard over the next several years to excel and attend the college of their dreams. Heather was a star member of the debate team at Carroll where she learned to organize her thoughts and speak confidently in public. In 2007, Heather began as a freshman at Hamilton College in New York.

Nnenna Maduforo

An alumna of the Signature Scholarship Program and one of the original families to join WSF in 1993, Nnenna graduated from Georgetown Visitation School in 2001 and Rutgers University in 2006. She currently works in the Programs and Policy Center at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C. Nnenna wrote to us in 2007 with some inspiring words for WSF’s parents and students:

“I admire your involvement in the program and am very proud of all of you. To WSF’s parents, thank you for your hard work and sacrifices! Without your ‘smart choices’ your child might not be [succeeding in school] today.

And to the scholars, nothing comes easy in life, but when you work hard and set goals, I believe that anything is possible. My only wish for you all is to always believe in yourselves and to never give up. Please remember my wish!”

Wendy Cunningham, Jordan White and little sister

Jordan, a WSF Opportunity Scholar and a junior at Georgetown Day School, also wrote a special letter to us in 2007:

“Since attending Georgetown Day School, I have been able to expand my horizons, interact with people of various beliefs and cultures, and educate myself about the world in an open, accepting, and safe environment.

My mother is a single parent raising my younger sister and myself with little or no [additional income], which leaves no room in the budget for private school or extracurricular activities.

For me, having received a WSF Scholarship means having an opportunity that I may not otherwise have. Being a part of something bigger, something called 'Higher Education,' I not only make a difference but become the difference.

Thank you!”

Carmen, Richard, and Ronald Holassie with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty

Scholarship parent Carmen Hollassie brought her two sons - both D.C. Opportunity Scholarship recipients - to a local Hillbrook Neighborhood Civic Association Meeting to connect with Mayor Fenty and show support for his City-wide education reform initiatives. In fact, Carmen, Richard, and the Mayor share a passion for swimming and are all active at the Takoma Community Center pool where Ronald, a 10th grader at Archbishop Carroll High School, swims competitively.

In February 2008 Ronald participated, with much success, in the “22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet” and won first place blue ribbons in the backstroke, freestyle and butterfly events and came in second in the breaststroke. Congratulations Ronald!

In a statement the Director of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation said “The Black History Invitational Swim Meet is Mayor Fenty’s vision in action, showing everyone that the District is a world-class city. The competition is one of our agency’s signature events and its continuing success demonstrates DPR’s commitment to youth development and our goal of bringing our residents and visitors the best in leisure programming and urban recreation.” Hailed by USA Swimming as the “premier minority swim competition in the United States and in the World,” Richard competed in the two-day event with competitors from swim teams in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, New York and other metropolitan areas in the United States.