September 30, 2022
My Passions Will Lead Me – Evelyn Esquivel
I am studying media arts at the University of South Carolina to pursue my dream of becoming a screenwriter. I always knew I wanted to go to college and understood it was the next step after high school to pursue my passions. I worked hard in high school—taking AP classes and keeping my grades up—to earn scholarships and make college more affordable. My mom always encouraged me to go to college because she didn’t finish high school and saw the value of higher education. In my family, graduating high school is a big deal, but going to college is monumental. My mom is always behind me, supporting me and encouraging me. When I was unsure which school I wanted to attend, she assured me my passions would lead me where I was meant to go.
This is my first year at USC, and I’m enjoying the activities the campus offers. There’s always something going on, so I never know what to expect. This is the first time I’ve been on my own, and it can be lonely. My older brother attends Clemson, and although we are at rival schools, our experiences and struggles are similar. We talk almost daily about adjusting to college life. He joined a Hispanic organization that helped him feel like he belonged, so I plan on doing the same. I keep reminding myself that I belong here at USC because I worked hard to get here and deserve to be here. It’s hard, but I encourage myself every day.
It is Fate – Eric Velasco
I moved to the United States in 2019 from Mexico and couldn’t speak English well because it isn’t my first language. I had to learn English to understand my teachers, do my homework, and get good grades. I studied hard to do well on my assignments and keep up my grades. My father works hard to provide for my family, and my mother takes care of my sister and me. Their dedication to our family motivated me to study every day and apply for scholarships so I could go to college.
I am attending College of Charleston and am enjoying the city and school so far. I’ve made a lot of friends and am happy here. I haven’t decided on a major, so I am exploring options that will lead me to choose my major and, eventually, my career. It is fate that I am attending college because I always wanted to go but I didn’t think I could afford tuition and wasn’t planning on going. However, when I received the Meeting Street Scholarship I changed my mind, and I am excited to have the opportunity to attend College of Charleston!
Each Meeting Street Scholarship Fund recipient has overcome hurdles, and we are proud of how each has persevered through their unique circumstances to pursue their dreams of higher education.
For more student spotlights and more information about the fund, visit MeetingStreetScholarshipFund.org. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, news, and more.
