Paying it forward
Quan Tran got some much-needed financial support—and a big morale boost—when she received a $2,500 Senior Class Council scholarship, with money raised by members of the Class of 2013.
Tran’s parents immigrated from Vietnam. They own a beauty salon and never went to college, but they’ve worked long hours, six to seven days a week, to support their family.
Tran, 20, who is taking science classes to prepare for medical school, often finds that finances are tight.
“The journey to med school is not an easy one,” Tran said. “Earning the scholarship felt like strong reassurance that I am doing the right thing, and will reach my goal.” In turn, Tran is “paying it forward” by planning to open a free medical clinic in an underserved area.
The Senior Class Council encourages students to honor their class by donating $20.14. This year, the council is well on its way toward raising enough money to potentially distribute $2,500 scholarships to two juniors next year.
The donations are passed on to the next year to do with it what they please. The money for Quan’s scholarship came from the Class of 2013, while the Class of 2014 decided to give the money away through scholarships and chose Quan.