Due to the pandemics, many classes were canceled or changed to remote learning; as such no student was awarded the Jimmy Nhat Nguyen scholarship in 2020. This year, we decided to award the 2020 fund to two more students. The 2022 recipients of the Jimmy Nhat Nguyen scholarship are Michael Haroon, Jose Tovar, and Nina Julia Dela Pena. We wish them all the best in school and life.
In my time at LBCC I decided to push myself academically and personally. I joined the Academic Research Club, and I noticed that I was a weak speaker and poor leader. To overcome this, I tried to lead in my family. I strived to be decisive, confident, analytical, considerate, tolerant, and well-spoken. For the first time, I applied this notion everywhere in my life. In Fall 2021, I joined my classes with my camera on, and I participated with raw interest and care. I joined my Biology professor’s office hours to discuss the connection of biology to physics, and we discussed our academic pasts and goals. I did the same with Professor Anand, who gave me the opportunities of receiving the Certificate of Recognition and the application to NASA’s community college program. I applied myself to the personal development of my peers as a tutor for LBCC – one of them said I should be a professor because I show care towards their growth!
But this all occurred after my mother got sick. I had to take care of her and let some of my grades drop, but I proved to myself the extent of how responsible I can be. I managed her medication and gave her doctors detailed information to help diagnose and alleviate pain. I came out of the situation knowing that I can do much work under great pressure, which is why I did not drop out in Fall 2021. I participated in NCAS (NASA’s community college program), participated in a range of classes I find interesting, studied music theory on the violin, and learned how to program with Python and C++.
I plan on transferring to UC Berkeley and majoring in Computer Science while taking courses in Math to develop my mathematical thinking skills and to prepare for research. This scholarship will help me pay for and secure housing in the Bay Area, and it will secure my financial needs during times of emergencies. I am interested in research of efficient technology. I will participate in research of efficient technology to reduce pollution and waste. If I find a possible and relatively easy solution to increase efficiency and reduce waste, I will apply to a Master or Doctorate program and continue my research. If not, I plan to find a job in the Bay Area and help develop the technology of tomorrow.
I came into LBCC questioning everything about myself and I found many answers, but more have risen. I am working on myself as hard as I am working for school. I am developing my leadership skills and my initiative to be the leader of tomorrow’s world.
My name is Jose Tovar. I am a Latino, LGBTQ, DREAMER first generation student furthering my education. Throughout my life I have always been involved in my community. Throughout high school I did many volunteer programs within my community. I loved volunteering at my local shelters to help those in need. I also participated in many school events, for example, ASB, Link Crew and various clubs. In college I have continued my volunteering activities and also joining clubs that are offered at LBCC. My main motivation for volunteering has always been seeing others happy, and being able to contribute to my amazing community that has inspired me throughout these years. It has been an amazing experience. Continuing my further education has taught me various skills. As a dance major I have improved my technique, dance skills and overall character development. Dance is a free space that allows you to be who you are, more importantly express yourself through movement. I want to futher my education to one day be able to teach others and invoke a passion for dance as I have to this day. As a first generation Latino and LGBTQ student this scholarship would mean so much to me. In a world where sometimes minorities are left out or not given the same opportunities because we don't "fit in", an amazing scholarship like this would help me and motivate me to continue on, even with the barriers I may face further on down the road. If I am granted a scholarship, I would be able to fully dedicate to school and not worry about other expenses that sometimes may interfere with my focus on school. In my opinion, college is an amazing opportunity for one to further their education and also continue their life goal. My mother has always told me that life comes with troubles and barriers. But one must be able to find the courage to get up and continue even if you feel knocked down during that time. A scholarship would mean I am able to continue with what I have worked so hard for various years. I want to continue my education to one day be able to love my job because it is my passion. Not only do I want to achieve my goals, but I also want to show other students like me that it is POSSIBLE. They call this country the land of opportunities because that's exactly what it offers. Opportunities for you to become whatever you want and more importantly achieve any goal you may set for yourself. From at one time in my life being homeless and living out of my car, I have learned first hand that you face challenges in life but one must be determined enough to keep going and know that tomorrow is another day for a new beginning. It's all about hard work, dedication and most importantly humbleness. I thank everyone who has helped me get where I am on my journey till this day and ask that with this scholarship contribute to my education goal and allow to further on my education at an amazing university.
“I Can Be Somebody”
“Who are you?” they said to her and she answered, “I am nobody... for now.” Her name is Nina Dela Pena. She was born in the year 2000. If you backtrack exactly nine months from her birthday it is going to be the day of Valentine’s day. She was a very lovely daughter and a smart one, she has that strong personality with regard to her family and because of that, she will do everything for them. She is the youngest, the “hope ” of the family. Her two older sisters settled at a very young age; that is why she is the only one left with their parents. They are immigrants, came from a very far Southern Island, the Philippines. Migrating to a very different country compared to where she was born is absolutely difficult. The culture, the people, and especially the places are mostly incomparable.
In 17 years of her existence in this world, she only experienced the life of an average people living in a small island wherein people know each and everyone in the village. Living with a small but a happy family, friends whom are not always beside her but can absolutely be with her when she needed them. But, separating from them was another kind of a heartbreak for her because 4 months before her birthday they flew from the Philippines to U.S.A. to settle there for good. There were times at night she cried and broken down, but she never gave up. She knows to herself that she can do everything for her family. She knows that she should study harder to make her dreams come true for herself and especially for her family.
During her high school days, she also received plenty of awards such as student of the month in her English and Economics class. It was hard for her to reach these achievements since English was not her first language, but she tried harder even gone further than her limits. She also met few of her “kababayan” in high school or those students who has the same nationality as hers. She didn’t feel alone as she continues her journey with them. Nina graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA.
On her first day of college, her patience and courage were challenged already not only mentally, but only financially. College is literally expensive especially for the Nursing students like Nina. Her books costs more than $100 each and some are more than $200. She joined the Extended Opportunity Program and Services or a program in which they assist students on their linguistic and educational needs to become successful in life. This program gives students book grants in the amount of $250 and a mandatory counseling appointment to guide the path they are crossing. They also give lots of benefits to students such as University Transfer Fee waivers, Nina will absolutely need this because she plans to transfer to a university to get her bachelor’s degree in Nursing after she received her Associate’s at LBCC.
College was not like high school anymore; she really needs to put herself on the game because she was just few steps ahead towards her dreams. Back when she was still an innocent child, her dream is to be a Nurse or anything inside the medical field. She wants to be one because although she is the youngest, no one on her family is into medical field.
Nina’s family was not that so fortunate financially, but they are lucky they get to pass everyday through the small amount they have. This scholarship will not only help her, but also her family. This will help her with getting school requirements without anxiously disturbing her parents. She can also give the extra money to her parents to buy groceries and pay rent on our small apartment since she’s receiving enough Pell grant for herself. If she will be accepted in the program in the year 2022, she expected to graduate in the year 2024 and go straight together bachelor’s in CSU’s for one year. She could start paying back the things her parents did for her and start her own family. And of course, to answer the question she always gets with, “I am nobody for now, but someday you will know my name. Someday.”