Scholarship Winners 2010
Ebony Hailey
During her interview, Ebony Hailey said something memorable “Once I’m committed to it, I’m committed to it.” Ebony’s story is proof of that. Even though Ebony’s mother suffered from addiction, she instilled in Ebony a strong value of education. Ebony left her home to live with a friend of her mother’s. She earned her GED on independent study so that she could go to work and support herself.
After getting her GED, Ebony earned her Associates degree in business, but had a baby and, in her own words, got off-track. After learning to love kids while working in a group home, she went back to school, earning first a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, then a Master of Science in Special Education. Last year she completed her “2 Clear Education Specialist Level II Credentials for Mild – Moderate Disabilities and Moderate Severe Disabilities.” Ebony currently works in Clovis Unified and has learned to balance career and family, which now includes her husband and four children.
he has taken the role of “servant leader” to heart, and has coached Special Olympics in girls’ basketball, softball, and other sports she had to learn through books. She has three semesters left to reach her dream and complete her final educational journey, earning her a doctorate in Education Leadership and Management.
Ebony embodies the values of Fresno Women’s Network in her commitment to her family, to her community, and to her profession.
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer’s
goal is to be a physician and work with children. Jennifer knew she would one
day work in the medical profession, but this was reinforced when her mother went
into labor with her half-sister, Tricia, two months earlier than expected. As
she sat next to Tricia’s incubator at Children’s Hospital of Central California
and watched the outstanding care Tricia received, Jennifer’s passion for the
medical field was confirmed.
Jennifer has volunteered in several positions along her life’s journey. She has
attended several international service trips to Romania and Mexico. She has also
spent time working with Angel Tree, Faithful Feet and Read Fresno. Jennifer had
the opportunity to shadow Dr. Lee at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,
Texas on the pediatric oncology floor.
In April of 2009, Jennifer presented a literature review on “Patient
Confidentiality versus Duty to Warn” at the National Alpha Chi Honors Society
Convention, where she earned first place in the Contemporary Bioethical Issues
category.
This month Jennifer will be graduating from Fresno Pacific University with
Senior High Honors and Summa Cum Laude, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in
Pre-Health Sciences with a Pre-M.D. emphasis and Psychology minor. Medical
school will begin in August.
There is no doubt that the world will be a better place with the courage,
confidence and character that Jennifer possesses.
Michelle Salas
Michele
Salas currently holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Communications from the
University of Southern California. As a communications student, she was able to
intern in theatrical marketing for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. After
graduating, Michele was hired as Project Manager for a boutique advertising and
design agency for the Warner Brother Harry Potter Property account. There she
co-produced artwork with creative services and consumer products for home
entertainment campaigns.
While working in a highly stressful environment, Michele felt a “pinch” on the
right side of her brain. This “pinch” was the onset of a severe mental illness.
It is through her recovery that Michele developed a deep compassion to assist
those who battle with mental illnesses. Michele decided to apply to the Master’s
Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Fresno State. Michele said, “Being
knowledgeable about sociological and medical aspects regarding mental illness
and working as an advocate in reducing the stigma is definitely a priority for
me.” Michele’s goal is to graduate from the program and obtain a position
working in the mental health field, specifically in the area of psychiatric
disabilities. She believes that with her recovery process and her training, she
will be able to better aid those who battle mental illness.
This past year, Michele voiced her gratitude. She is very thankful to be alive
and is in the process of rebuilding her personal and community network of
friends. These networks have helped her with her self-confidence and overall
mental health which has given her the strength to be successful..
Brittany Williams
This
year’s recipient of the Susan Melkonian Award is Brittany Williams. Brittany was
raised in a small community in Los Angeles, California called Watts. Her parents
always emphasized the importance of education, even driving her over a half hour
away to put her in a better school district. She endured many obstacles within
the educational system that made her realize the dire need for change. It wasn’t
apparent yet to Brittany what that change would mean in regards to her future.
She chose to attend California State University, Fresno where she declared a
major in Business Marketing. Various teaching job experiences necessary to
finance her education proved immensely valuable in making her life changing
decision to select teaching as her career goal. She realized that her future no
longer depended upon her own desires, but rather she was led by a need to help
others succeed. Her internship with NASA PSTI (Pre-Service Teacher Institute)
program was also instrumental and a great stepping stone for Brittany.
In Brittany’s autobiography, she states, “I have realized the importance of
being consistent with expectations as well as being a positive role model in and
out of the classroom.” Brittany shows she can make a difference in the lives of
others just as her teachers and mentors have done for her. Brittany possesses a
positive spirit and energy that is infectious when you meet her. She has already
overcome some difficult life obstacles that will help her become an exceptional
teacher in the near future. elder Hmong people with a variety of subjects to help them adjust
to life in the USA.