Scholarship winners honored

Posted on by Collegian Admin
Scholarship winner Kacy Davis talks about how he stayed up all night after he learned he won a scholarship because he was so excited.

By Sergio Tapia/reporter

Scholarship recipients dined with scholarship donors at the 2017 TCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition Dinner Nov. 9 on TR Campus.

HVAC Technology Scholarship recipient Daniel Almazan spoke to students and donors about experiences that led him to pursue his education.

South student Daniel Almazan talks about the importance of receiving a scholarship as a Dreamer and how he succeeded this far in his academic career. He arrived in the U.S. as an 8-year-old.
South student Daniel Almazan talks about the importance of receiving a scholarship as a Dreamer and how he succeeded this far in his academic career. He arrived in the U.S. as an 8-year-old.
Photo by Peter Matthews/The Collegian

“I am a Dreamer,” he said. “I was born in Mexico. I arrived to the United States at 8 years old, in the third grade. I didn’t know how to speak English. Ever since then, it has always been an uphill battle.”

Like many recipients, Almazan said he was thankful for the scholarship and it provided more than financial support.

Scholarship winner Jirda Nguyen speaks during the TCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition Dinner Nov. 9 on TR Campus.
Scholarship winner Jirda Nguyen speaks during the TCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition Dinner Nov. 9 on TR Campus.
Photo by Peter Matthews/The Collegian

“Everybody can see the financial aspect, the dollar signs, but what a lot of people don’t see is the emotional part of a scholarship, knowing that somebody is rooting toward our success,” Almazan said.

Throughout the evening, people learned more about the recipients as they expressed their gratitude.

TRE student Tracie Simpson shares her reasons for pursuing a nursing degree. Without the scholarship, she could not complete her degree.
TRE student Tracie Simpson shares her reasons for pursuing a nursing degree. Without the scholarship, she could not complete her degree.
Photo by Peter Matthews/The Collegian

The Betty J. Davis Scholarship was founded by Davis’ daughter, Brenda, and son-in-law, Aaron Cook, to honor her service as a longtime educator. For Davis, the annual dinner is her opportunity to meet the recipient of the scholarship awarded in her honor.

“I always come to the scholarship dinners,” she said. “It’s the one chance to catch these children. It’s been a wonderful experience.”