ND students have consistently won the following scholarships for the past few years:
I literally could not stop smiling for days after I received an email from the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter that congratulated me on my acceptance into their class of 2016. Macaulay Honors was the dream package for me. Not only did it give me a fully paid education with a free dorm, laptop, and $7,500 opportunities grant; but it also offered me the city itself. The road leading up to Macaulay was not an easy one, however. It took a lot of papers, essays, and an interview to make it possible. Without the opportunities Notre Dame has offered me, such as being able to compete in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) competition and our counselors’ college application tutorials, I doubt my future would have turned out just as perfect as it is right now.
~ Irene Dimatulac ’12, Macaulay Honors Scholarship Winner
At the start of the school year, I questioned the affordability of many of the colleges that I wished to attend. I found myself at a crossroads; I could either take out student loans, leaving me in debt, or I could apply for multiple scholarships. It should be of no surprise that I chose the latter of the two. I heard about the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, which covers the cost of attendance for any college to minorities who do well in school. I then decided to write the eight essays required to enter. Crossing my fingers, I sent in my application and hoped for the best. A few months passed before I heard from the program again, but in late March I discovered that I was chosen as a finalist! The program informed me that I would know if I became a Gates Millennium Scholar over spring break. It was the most stressful vacation I have ever had. Every day, I found myself checking my mailbox, wondering if I would have to take out those dreaded students loans. Then, on April 16th, I learned that I did in fact receive the scholarship. This experience has been very humbling and makes me value the hard work my teachers and I have put into my academics.
~ Michelle Driscoll ’12, Gates Millennium Scholarship Winner
“Yes, yes, I got the scholarship!” I could not believe the excitement I had in my heart when I heard the good news. I know you are wondering what the good news was. I head that I received the Gates Millennium Scholarship for the Class of 2012. Being a Gates Millennium Scholar still leaves me speechless, but it is an award that will leave all my days changed forever. Knowing that my parents came to New York in search of better pastures, I worried every day about one day making them proud of me and letting them know that I appreciated all the struggles they went through to ensure that I received a valued education. That day, I felt I made it happen and my wishes of making my parents proud of me had finally come true. May this scholarship not only be just an achievement, but a token of my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to my success today. Special thanks to everyone at Notre Dame School!
~ Fatima Absatou Doumbia ’12, Gates Millennium Scholarship Winner
In the middle of my junior year, The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and the Freidheim Family Foundation presented our class with a new program. They wanted to inspire young women to become successful entrepreneurs. The program seemed simple enough. We had to come up with a business idea, develop the business plan and present it to a panel of judges for the ultimate prize of a full tuition, 4-year scholarship to any college of choice. This prize was enough to sell most of the junior class, myself included.
In search of my perfect business idea, I looked within my realm of experience. My only true working experience was babysitting for the neighbors. My neighbors had mentioned concerns about baby bumper safety, so I decided to create a “JazzyBumper” that was 100% safe. After that, the financial aspect of the assignment came easily and soon, I had a plan that I was ready to present.
With my business plan in tow and my presentation laid out, I spoke to my panel of judges about my vision for my business. Because I had done thorough research through medical journals and articles, I could easily talk about why I thought my product was a success. The whole competition night was a blur and before I knew it, I was sitting in the audience waiting to hear the results of the competition. At that time, I thought back on this experience. I had so much to be proud of, even if I didn’t win the prize. I made a business all of my own from the ground up and mustered up the courage to present it. I created and stood behind something that could be successful. But most importantly, I honored a commitment that I made to myself, the program, and the teachers that guided me on my journey.
To this day, people are still proud of me for winning the competition. And I agree that the award is definitely something to be proud of. I now have the opportunity to go to whichever college I choose. But personally, I take most pride in the personal goals I reached, the obstacles I overcame, and the achievement of accomplishing something through passion and perseverance. I could not have achieved something of such magnitude without Notre Dame School.
~ Jasmine Lewis ’12, NFTE Scholarship Winner