Blog #8: Nearing the End!

Hey everyone, I hope you had a great spring break! Only two weeks left to go in Senior Project—time sure flies. Over spring break and this week, quite a bit has happened.

Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to recoup the money that was lost when the PayPal campaign donations bounced back, bringing down FUSD grant funding from a previously anticipated ~$19,100 to around $17,700. This is disappointing news, but we are still working on contacting everyone. Hopefully, we’ll have some success with getting back some donations after following up with donors.

After I wrote down my initial thoughts on the Pathway to Success grant applications, other Fremont Education Foundation board members also gave their thoughts. We’ve finally decided on the 9 award winners! Reading all of these students’ stories, I’m in awe of how much they have overcome and their drive to succeed to build a better life for themselves and their families. One applicant has struggled as a refugee from Afghanistan but has worked to learn English and wants to become a kinesiologist after attending community college. Another student has been a victim of domestic violence but is now free of it, with the goal of not only becoming successful in her career but also wanting to use her success to give back to the community. A third student’s essay was heart-wrenching yet heart-warming: “My journey may not have been easy, but it’s made me who I am, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” She plans to attend Ohlone College and hopes to become an EMT. Oftentimes, these students are overlooked as just a statistic, but each person is truly unique, with their own challenges, hopes, and dreams. Reading these applications has reaffirmed my belief in the Pathway to Success grant program. Beyond the financial support, the award tells these deserving individuals that we have confidence in them; we see them, are right by their side, and are rooting for them to succeed.

This year’s 9 award winners come from 4 out of 6 FUSD high schools! Unfortunately, all of the high school senior award nights are on the same night, so I’ve matched a FEF board member who will present the award certificates to each school.

On the financial side of things, Fremont Education Foundation has received the first $5,000 check from our generous program sponsor, and we are waiting on the second check of $7,000, which will likely be sent in early May. The interview last month with Fremont Social Services for the $90,000 of funding for the program over 3 years went well, and we will be notified of the city’s decision in May. Fingers and toes crossed!!

I’ve reached out about interviewing students’ youth mentors at each school for my documentary but am still waiting to hear back, as FUSD is currently on their Spring Break. Hopefully, hearing from the point of view of youth mentors will provide more insight into the support system these students have. Separately, I’ve also started designing this year’s grant award certificates.

That’s it for this week. See you in Week 9!