What did the scholarship allow you to do that you otherwise wouldn’t have done?
This scholarship has allowed me to continue my educational journey in the United States. Since my arrival, my dream of advancing in the professional field through education became possible thanks to this valuable support. With hard work and effort, I have discovered that all goals are achievable, even those that seem impossible and distant. The scholarship has been a key factor in my trajectory, providing me the opportunity to attend an incredible university where my ideas and thoughts have been challenged by classmates and professors. As a Hoosier college student, I genuinely thank the Indiana community for making my higher education possible and for being a fundamental part of my educational journey.

What are you most proud of?
There aren’t enough words in the world to express how proud I am of my family. I owe my current position to them. Despite encountering numerous obstacles on my journey, my family and God have consistently stood by my side, and I couldn’t have accomplished anything without their unwavering support. My mom made one of the best decisions of her life by deciding to immigrate to Indiana, where we found ourselves in a community that pushes you to be and get better every day.

If you could do anything to help your community, what would it be?
My aspiration is for a community where education is accessible to everyone who desires to learn, regardless of their ethnicity, race, beliefs, socioeconomic status, or gender. I envision an educational system that fosters inclusion rather than exclusion. An educational platform that not only imparts knowledge but also teaches individuals how to listen to each other and be heard by others.

Have you ever run into a Lilly Scholar out in the wild? If so, tell us about it?
It’s a funny story about my two college besties, Italy and Xia. We found out we were all Lilly Scholars after becoming friends. Italy stumbled upon a picture from the Lilly Scholars Reception at Butler, noticing that I was in it, and showed me how we were on opposite sides of the frame. Then, Xia mentioned she’s a Lilly Scholar too. It’s hilarious because, for weeks, we’d been doing everything together without knowing about this shared connection. Now, we make jokes about being destined to be together to change the world.

First posted 1/23/2024