“I was born in Mexico City and came to the U.S. at the age of four with my mother and brother. We moved around until I was 11, when we settled in San Diego. My mother was gone much of the time, working long hours to support us. During those years, I was led astray by the ruses of the street and eventually joined a gang. I began a downward spiral that led to jail.

“With the help of family, friends and teachers in the county court schools, I set out to change my life. I began by earning my high school diploma. But I never thought of college until the court schools’ Dollars for Scholars chapter who encouraged me to enter college by giving me my first scholarship.

“In 2003, I earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in Latin American Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I am currently pursuing a joint Master’s Degree and credential in the field of special education.

“I have come a long way since my days as a gang member, and I believe my experience and positive outcomes should be the standard and not the exception. I have not forgotten those who have helped me. Dollars for Scholars stands as a beacon of hope for individuals who share my experience.”

“The transition from high school to college can be a bit hectic. But with the help of the Dollars for Scholars scholarship, the transition has become a little easier for me. Even before I started college I began to realize how much my education is going to cost me. I am going to have to worry about paying a lot of things I didn't have to pay for before like books, parking permits, and class catalogs. Commuting is also a reality check. I travel from Santa Ana to Fullerton five days a week and gas prices are at an all time high.”

“The scholarship that I received has helped me cover most of my expenses and I am extremely grateful. I am currently attending Cal State Fullerton and majoring in criminal justice. I hope to become a juvenile probation officer to help the youth in my community.”

“With the help of Dollars for Scholars, I will be able to fulfill my goals.”

“I witnessed children in poverty, which touched me deeply. I can never forget seeing malnourished Kwasikar children, along the roadside, begging for money, which brought back memories of my parents' stories of the Khmer Rouge warfare in the 1970s.

“I am now determined to complete my Bachelor's Degree in biochemistry at UCLA and then finish medical school. I hope to join the Peace Corps, or other program, and return to Cambodia to dedicate my time and effort to brighten the lives of these children who are starving, and who face protein deficiency and unsanitary conditions.

“My Dollars for Scholars scholarships will help relieve my financial burden for tuition and other expenses. I can now focus on achieving a higher education. I would like to send my gratitude and appreciation to the Dollars for Scholars committee that has made such a difference in my life and inspired me to reach for my goals.”

“High school was quite an experience for me. It was a lot of hard work but at the same time, fun and rewarding. Being the oldest of three sons, I had a lot of responsibilities and duties. I had to manage those duties with my school work and extracurricular activities. I am glad that my hard work and dedication were recognized by the great organization Dollars for Scholars.

“When I first saw the cost of attending a university, I was taken aback. But the Dollars for Scholars scholarship I received will be a tremendous help. It will help diminish the expenses of school and the burden on my parents. I am extremely grateful for the generosity of Dollars for Scholars. I can now go on and pursue my goals without as many worries about money.”