Katrina was not alone. Larry Lawson was in attendance with both of his student winners that he had nominated for the scholarship, too. So was I. So was the donor of the new J. & J. ESL Educational Scholarship and J. & J. VESL Educational Scholarship, Joanna Bravender. We were all very excited that this year as many as nine awesome ESL students were helped with the scholarship money.
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Emilia Wieczorek
In her nomination letter, Emilia's ESL professor wrote: "Emilia was in my ESL 101 class last semester, and now she is in my ESL 102. She really stands out from many of my other students because she consistently produces excellent work. In fact, I always read her assignments or tests before I read the others because I know that her papers are going to put me in a good mood! Not only are her academic skills high, but she also has excellent attendance. Not surprisingly, she got an A in 101, and she will undoubtedly get an A in 102 as well.
Besides being the most outstanding student of mine, Emilia also has the greatest need for money. Her eventual goal is to study microbiology, immunology and genetics at UCLA."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Bojana Rajkovic
Bojana's ESL 36 professor Katrina Rajkovic wrote, "Bojana is from Serbia. She left her country because it has had three wars in the past fifteen years. She came to the United States in 2007 to pursue a better life. Bojana started to study English at Palomar College immediately after arriving in the fall of 2007. She was placed in my level 3 class. A motivated student, Bojana never made excuses and always encouraged her peers. At the end of the semester, I presented her with a certificate of achievement. She cried and was overtaken with pride. Without delay, she moved on to level 34, then 35, and now she is in my level 36 class. She plans to continue her achievement in future courses at Palomar. Having been a nurse in Serbia, she would like to eventually participate in the nursing program. She wants to learn English so that she can use her knowledge and experience to help people in her community. Her dedication, motivation, and compassion should be encouraged and rewarded. I feel that this scholarship would encourage and support a stellar student who is whole-heartedly dedicated to reaching out to her new community and making a difference in the lives of others.
I truly feel that Palomar College is a better institution with Bojana Rajkovic on our rosters."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Yolanda Hernandez
I truly feel that Palomar College is a better institution with Bojana Rajkovic on our rosters."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Yolanda Hernandez
Yolanda's ESL 34 professor Heather Weldele wrote: "Yolanda comes to class each day full of enthusiasm, and her attitude is contagious. She goes beyond expectations constantly, memorizing her in-class presentations word for word and asking for extra work. A scholarship would mean a lot to Yolanda and her family as they have struggled financially recently. Her husband was recently unemployed, and Yolanda works as a waitress. Additionally, I am certain she would be honored to be recognized for her hard work, and as her instructor, I feel she is deserving of this acknowledgment."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Jorge Cisnero
Jorge's NESL 303 professor Janis Lenhert wrote: "Jorge shows a great deal of academic promise and has expressed interest in taking ESL 34, but finances would be a problem for him. He is a mature learner and juggles being a husband and father with his school responsibilities. He is always on time and never misses class. Jorge shows initiative and motivation in class, always participating and volunteering answers. I do a lot of pair work and group work in my class, and he always gets along very well with others."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Julian Barrios
Julian has just finished my ESL 35 with a grade of A. Here's what I wrote in my nomination letter: "Julian is an excellent student in my class. He has earned the most points for work required for the class. He has also been involved in our new peer mentors program. Julian has always displayed maturity and concern for others. He is a natural leader in class discussions. Not surprisingly, Julian has impressed many for his good work.
Coming from a poor family in Mexico, Julian was unable to continue his education beyond middle school. He had to start working as a young hired hand, taking care of rich people’s plants and meals. He often used to work 15 days straight without taking a day off.
About three years ago, Julian came to the US with his younger sister “to work and be successful.” He now works in a restaurant as a cook during the day and attends Palomar after work. No matter what happens, he says, “I’ll…try to be a good person and never lose my dreams.” Our community is fortunate to have people like Julian Barrios, who are young, cheerful, spiritual, intelligent, helpful, and energetic. By recognizing these characters in him, we encourage them in others.
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner Francisco Aguilar
In his nomination letter, Francisco's NESL 303 professor wrote: "Francisco has made a commitment to not only his education but also to the education of his classmates. Often, when a concept lies just beyond the abilities of his peers, Francisco spends extra time explaining new and old concepts, in English, to fellow classmates. Francisco offers help where help is needed and performs this act of his own initiative. He is a wonderful student and a valuable peer mentor in the classroom.
As a level three student, whose ability outpaces the current scope of the course, Francisco has discussed taking the next step: attending classes on the San Marcos or Escondido campuses. He has taken interest in the Palomar College catalog and has begun to discuss what options he might like to exercise. For example, he is considering taking VESL next semester in Fallbrook so that he might learn the English necessary to learn a work-related skill in classes held on other Palomar campuses. In conjunction with his idea of taking vocational courses at Palomar, Francisco would like to continue his ESL education. He has expressed a desire to enroll in ESL 34 in the coming year."
As a level three student, whose ability outpaces the current scope of the course, Francisco has discussed taking the next step: attending classes on the San Marcos or Escondido campuses. He has taken interest in the Palomar College catalog and has begun to discuss what options he might like to exercise. For example, he is considering taking VESL next semester in Fallbrook so that he might learn the English necessary to learn a work-related skill in classes held on other Palomar campuses. In conjunction with his idea of taking vocational courses at Palomar, Francisco would like to continue his ESL education. He has expressed a desire to enroll in ESL 34 in the coming year."
ESL Resident Scholarship Winner: Jose Tomas Ramirez
In his nomination letter, Jose's NESL 303 professor Larry Lawrence wrote: "Jose Tomas has been in the Fallbrook program for quite a while now. He is familiar to most of the other teachers and is highly regarded by all those who have taught him. Jose Tomas is a helper, a learner, and a valuable peer mentor (in fact, he is an official peer mentor in a program spearheaded by my colleague in Fallbrook). I never see Jose Tomas without a newspaper to read and a dictionary to aid himself. He is always bringing new words, phrases, and ideas to the class for the benefit of himself and others. Every day, I begin class with an open discussion where students can converse about anything they’d like to share with the class. Often, the room is silent because students are nervous about speaking aloud. Jose Tomas is usually the student who breaks the ice. He’ll talk about something he heard on the radio or something he read in the newspaper, and then the class will begin to discuss those topics. Often, because of Jose Tomas’ beginning work here, students find themselves talking before they realize they are afraid to talk, thus pulling themselves a little more out of their shells. Without Jose Tomas’ initiative and risk-taking confidence, early class conversations would be difficult to maintain. I am nominating Jose Tomas for this award because I know, and he knows, that there isn’t much left for him to learn in Fallbrook. He’s ready to take the next step and enroll in classes such as ESL 34."
J. & J. ESL Educational Scholarship and ESL Resident Scholarship Winner: Jaqueline Bernabe
In her recommendation letter, Jackie's ESL 36 professor Shayla Sivert wrote: "It was apparent to me from the very first week of the semester that Jackie would be a wonderful student to have in class. She has always been attentive and curious, never failing to ask intelligent questions as we move through material. All of her test scores are high, nearly perfect, in fact. Her homework assignments are done thoroughly and thoughtfully. It comes as no surprise to me that she currently ranks at the top of my class.
What does come as a surprise to me, however, is Jackie’s background. Due to a series of disruptions in her family, Jackie was never able to go to high school. Instead, at age 11, she was yoked with the responsibility of raising her younger siblings. Nevertheless, Jackie always knew that she would go back to school one day, and, here she is, studying at Palomar College with a 4.0 GPA. Her dream is to get her degree in Criminology so that she can pursue a career in Forensic Pathology. I know that she will achieve this goal not only because of her intelligence and diligence but also because of her willingness to use all resources available to her to help her reach her goals.
Ideally, Jackie would be working towards these goals with the assistance of a scholarship. Awarding the J.&J. ESL Educational Scholarship to her would help offset the costs involved in continuing her education and allow her to focus herself more fully on studying. I would also like to nominate Jackie for the ESL Resident Scholarship. She is truly deserving of any assistance that we can offer her; I know that any scholarship awarded to her will be well used."
What does come as a surprise to me, however, is Jackie’s background. Due to a series of disruptions in her family, Jackie was never able to go to high school. Instead, at age 11, she was yoked with the responsibility of raising her younger siblings. Nevertheless, Jackie always knew that she would go back to school one day, and, here she is, studying at Palomar College with a 4.0 GPA. Her dream is to get her degree in Criminology so that she can pursue a career in Forensic Pathology. I know that she will achieve this goal not only because of her intelligence and diligence but also because of her willingness to use all resources available to her to help her reach her goals.
Ideally, Jackie would be working towards these goals with the assistance of a scholarship. Awarding the J.&J. ESL Educational Scholarship to her would help offset the costs involved in continuing her education and allow her to focus herself more fully on studying. I would also like to nominate Jackie for the ESL Resident Scholarship. She is truly deserving of any assistance that we can offer her; I know that any scholarship awarded to her will be well used."
J. & J. VESL Educational Scholarship Winner: Nancy Gomez
Nancy Gomez Padilla is a VESL student, working on her career choice of graphic communications. Digital photography and web site development are the areas she likes the most because—in her own words-- they allow you to “express your emotions and portray every wonderful moment of your life.” Even though Nancy works during the day to pay for her studies and can only go to school in the evening to prepare herself for a better job, Nancy has demonstrated a consistent scholastic ability and remained an “A” student.
Nancy's former ESL professor Jackie Hodges wrote a glowing letter of recommendation.
Honorable Mentions
Six other students were also nominated by their teachers for the ESL Resident Scholarships.
- Elida Cabrera (nominated by Larry Lawson)
- Manuel Sebastian (nominated by Larry Lawson)
- Evelyn Lucero (nominated by Lynne Henson)
- Jaime Rodriguez (nominated by Lynne Henson)
- Liliana Escarcega (nominated by Chris Corte)
- Donaji Sanchez (nominated by John Mullens)
Although not everyone can win when there were only a limited number of the ESL Resident Scholarships, the selection committee was very impressed by the achievements of these students. We hope to see their names again next year.
Donors' Message for Teachers
The newly established J. & J. ESL Educational Scholarship and J. & J. VESL Educational Scholarships differ from the ESL Resident Scholarships not only in the award amounts--the new scholarships award $500 each whereas the amounts and the number of students to help by the ESL Resident Scholarships vary from year to year (this year we were able to award 8 ESL Resident Scholarships for $200 each)--but also in how they are processed. Unlike the ESL Resident Scholarships, which are strictly teacher-nominated, the two new J. & J. Scholarships are open for qualified students to apply for. As you know, there are a few requirements such asking an ESL teacher to write and separately submit a letter of recommendation and typing a one-page statement discussing career goals as well as financial needs.
With the first-ever awarding of their new scholarships just over, the donors of the J. & J. Scholarships wish to send all the ESL and VESL teachers this message.
More to Come
Our scholarship winners are all very appreciative. I plan to publicize their reactions one way or another soon. So stay tuned.
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