Achieving the Dream Scholarship Success Stories

We are proud of all our ATD Winners!

“I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of 2016 Achieving the Dream Scholarship. The purpose of this letter is to thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to continue pursuing my education for two more consecutive semesters. This scholarship has allowed me to pay for my school supplies, food, and my room & board. The scholarship awarded to me has pushed me to continue pursuing my finance degree and my dream of becoming a successful business woman. Again, thank you for helping millions of students like myself achieve such an important step in life.

I am currently a Finance major at the University of North Florida. I plan to pursue a career in a successful company with a strong leadership and vision upon graduating from UNF. I am currently a senior, and plan to graduate in the fall of 2017. After graduation, I will start working on my Master of Business Administration at the University of North Florida which would help me improve my professional and personal my skills while pursuing a higher education. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to this goal.

By awarding me the 2016 Achieving the Dream Scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school- learning! Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope to one day be able to help students achieve their goals just like you have helped me.

Sincerely,
– Kathie O”


“I would like to send this letter of appreciation to you and your company for donating to the scholarship this year. It is amazing how much this scholarship will aid me and others in reaching our goals and I cannot express my gratitude enough. The money that goes towards our tuition, books, and housing allows us to focus more on school and not have to worry about making ends meet. This eases our minds as students and allows us to live more healthy worry-free lifestyle. Just so you know a little bit about me, I am a freshman at the University of Florida majoring in Health Science. Upon completing my undergraduate studies I plan on going to medical school and training to be an Orthopaedic Surgeon with a specialty in sports medicine. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and I would like to stay around athletes for as long as possible. I played baseball, football, and basketball growing up. Here at UF I am on the club baseball team and I volunteer for Fit 4 All which is an organization that pairs you with kids with disabilities and you interact with them by working out and playing various sports. Once again, thank you so much for your contributions , they are very appreciated.

Warm Regards, -“Moises P.”


“Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this email to thank you for your generous donation to the 2016 Achieving the Dream Scholarship. I am elated and really grateful that I was selected as a recipient of this scholarship. Currently, I am planning on majoring in economics and minoring in education studies or mathematics. Thanks to the financial assistance provided by the scholarship I have had more time to focus and work on my studies.

Thank you again for your generous donation to the Achieving the Dream Scholarship. This scholarship has greatly lightened my financial burden and has allowed me to be involved in more activities. I will make sure to take full advantage of all opportunities in college and in the future I hope to give back to others like you have done so. -Vanessa J.”

“Thankful for this scholarship. It helped me several years ago when I was in college. I finished my Bachelors with Honors and now I am working doing what I love since then (I’m teacher) This fall, I will pursue my Graduate Degree.” ~ Lucia C.


“Hi Maira, This is Karla C…! I hope you are doing well! I was one of the girls that got the opportunity to win last years Achieving Dream Scholarship and I just wanted to email you to thank you and your staff.  Its only been my first year at Southeastern University and I have been able to get so much done and be so involved with the Broadcasting program!! I am the Production Manager at my schools talk show called RAW TV and I also have my own segment for our schools NEWS SPOTLIGHT show!!! I am even going on a missions trip to SOUTH AMERICA this summer and it is all because you guys believed in me and gave me the scholarship!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Have a great week.”


“The ATD luncheon was WONDERFUL!  The amount of scholarships that were awarded was incredible.  It felt like the Hispanic community made a difference in our city.  I was also happy to see the presence of so many dignitaries that attended the event.

The luncheon this year was the best one yet!  Many thanks for your efforts, labor and love that you invest in the community.  We are all stronger because of you!

Sincerely.”


“Maribel,
What an awesome event today!!! You did a wonderful job! Very impressive. I was very proud to be a small part of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber. Thank you for all you do.”

Great event. Better than last year in my opinion.


“Maira,
Congratulations on a successful event! I was very impressed with the academic record of the students awarded scholarships and the diversity of the schools that they have chosen to attend. Thank you for your time and effort in ensuring that the FCHCC and MHAAB continue to impact our local Hispanics by providing educational scholarships. Well done!”


“Maribel,
Congratulations on another successful Achieving the Dream Scholarship Luncheon. You and the ATD committee did an excellent job in making this a memorable event.

Dr. Vitti’s keynote speech was very inspiring and a much needed defense to today’s political rhetoric. I was impressed with the caliber of the students being awarded scholarships and the diversity of institutions they have chosen to attend. The video portrayed students’ personal and scholastic lives in a very positive manner.

Thank you for sharing your story today and for your passion in helping Hispanics obtain a college education. I, too, share your passion and appreciative the collaboration between the FCHCC and MHAAB in implementing an event that positively impacts the lives of local Hispanics.

Thank you, Maribel, for your leadership.
All the best.”


“This was an amazing event of achieving, family oriented, hard working Hispanic students from all over. I am proud to be a part of an organization that recognizes EXCELLENCE and ACHIEVEMENT as part of the American Dream. Too bad there are so many bashers, who like crabs in a bucket, simply wish to pull those that strive to excel back down. Thank you for letting me be a part of this great event!”


“Thank you Grainger for your donation this year! Special shout outs Tropical and Hispanic Nexo as new supporters of our scholarship event! And a really special shout out to long-term supporters such as Tomas Jimenez, MHAAB, and Brunet Garcia. Their ongoing generosity over the years have made this event what it is today! Thank you everyone for your support!”


“Maribel, you are my hero!”


I remain committed in any way, shape, or form you think I can contribute to the chamber. I think that is one of the most important responsibilities we have on our shoulders is to be role models for our kids and other Hispanics in the community. We lead by our actions much, much more than our words. We have a moral obligation to help inspire our youth and look for voids where Hispanics need and have to advance to be competitive in years to come. I think that the Chamber under your leadership continues to do great things and that the Achieving the Dream Scholarship is a terrific vehicle to help many students. Unfortunately, given my many demands and transitions in administrative help these past two years, I have not been able to be more involved with your efforts. I hope this changes in the future as I’d really like to make a push for inspiring our youth towards math, science, engineering, and medicine. Maribel, thank you for your efforts, thank you to the Chamber for keeping ATD alive…”