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My high school guidance counselor is the most amazing women I no! She helped me find my major, teach me many great things about books, and was one of the most kind hearted person I no. I love her almost as much as my own mom. I spent everyday of senior year in her room I was her "work intern" or assistant would be a better way to explain it. I did anything I could to make her work load smaller and help out in anyway.
One day she showed me a scholarship opportunity. The Christina Hixson Opportunity Award. I won't explain because obviously you ALL no about it. :) And yes now you all no where this is going... the day I received that letter. Before I get to that day I will explain a little bit more.
My guidance counselor Jhonna (yes, we were on a first name basis) had the most faith in me than anyone. I'm going to flat out tell you all I have no way to pay for college, loans scholarships and grants are it. That being said I have to pay for all of it, and everyone in my family told me going to a community college would be best for a couple of years. All of my life I've wanted to go to a university. I had my mind set that no matter what it takes I was going to a university, I would figure out how to pay for it later. I applied to Iowa State and waited. Applied for the scholarship and waited. Once accepted to Iowa State stress started to kick in as I waited for the letter stating... We are sorry to inform you..
One day I went home to find an envelope sitting on the table and I saw the sticker on the back. It was a good thing no one was at home or they would have thought by the scream I let out that I was dyeing. It took me probably .000034 seconds to open that letter, its amazing I didn't get a paper cut.
Well, its no secret that I won or i wouldn't be writing this. The happiness i felt on that day was indescribable. I live around 6 blocks away from the school and was there in less than a min.. (with 4 stop signs) I ran into that school in as fast as i could ran into turned the corner and there was jhonna i looked at her basically shoved the paper in her face and told her to read. As soon as she realized what the paper said she instantly had tears in her eyes and so did I. We hugged and talked for what seemed like eternity.
I will never forget the feeling of reading that paper and seeing the proud look on Jhonna's face.
I can relate to having an awesome mentor to guide me. My guidance counselor sucked but luckily I had an awesome helper in another area. You're story made me laugh, and I am glad that it worked out because I got to meet you.
ReplyDeleteI have a very similar story to yours, my dear. Except your guidance counselor, Jhonna, was my activities director, Floyd. :) He was like a second father to me while mine was sick, and helped me through figuring out the whole college thing because I too have to pay for everything, and I have no money to pay for college either. These people mean so much in our lives, and it's amazing to find them in a school institution where so many other staff members there don't seem like they care. I'm glad you have someone, like Floyd, from your school too. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post Melanie! Having people there to look up to in education is so important, and is something I would really love to have a career in. I have a similar story about getting my scholarship letter. As soon as I saw the name on the envelope I knew what it was and my mom and grandma happened to be home when I got it and we all cried we were so happy. Hopefully you will find other people here at Iowa State to look up to like Jhonna. :]
ReplyDeleteI loved this post because I felt the same feeling, too. But it was different for me because my mother was screaming to me the news over the phone because I was a the Drake Track meet lol. I also think it's awesome how you had someone to look up to. And Sebastian, our guidance counselor did not suck...she was a great friend, coach, and helper of mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat financially... My dad and I cried the day the letter came. I was also in a similar position in high school. I was extremely close to 2 of my teachers, and still talk to them on a weekly basis. It's things like these that really make me want to teach... To make a difference.
ReplyDeleteNice. This was a great blog to read because we all know what your talking about and can relate to it. It was cool to know your story about the award because I'm sure all of ours were different. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI remember that day too :) It was a very good one however I had to go to work right away so I ended up telling my boss. He said congratulations on winning the 1,400 and I told him it was 14,000 and he didn't/couldn't believe it....until it came out in the paper the next week lol.
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