JULIAN LAFERLA
SCHOLARSHIPS CHANGE LIVES BRAULIO CESAR ARCEO-MENDOZA My name is Braulio Cesar Arceo-
for movies. One day I dream that I will
Mendoza, but people call me Leo. I
work for a big animation studio like
am a 2019 Apple Valley High School
Toei or Pixar.
graduate but was born in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. At the age of 2, my parents and I came to the United States in search of a new start and specifically a better life for me. My first language was Spanish, but I quickly became fluent in English through the E.L.L program in elementary school. I am normally the person that likes
the reason that people tend to gravitate toward me. I am very involved in several clubs at DCTC - Student Senate and MSLA (Multicultural Student Leadership Association). For my future, I wish to grow exponentially and be successful. My major is Graphic Design and I chose it because from a young age I have always loved drawing and thinking of stories
name
is
Katie
Duoos
received my bachelor’s degree from an
the Upskill @ Inver scholarships for the
expensive liberal arts school. I find the
Winter 2021 term. This scholarship has
instruction at Inver Hills to be a better
had a significant impact on my career.
value for the money. My instructors are excellent, and I have received top-
As a stay-at-home dad I have been out
notch assistance from the support
of the workforce for ten years, and I
staff. You should feel very proud of
was uncertain that I wanted to return
the quality of education your college
to my previous career. This scholarship
working at a part-time job, but I do not
helped me try out some classes from
wish to go into a full-time job because
outside my area of expertise, and I have
I want to focus all my time and energy
enjoyed them so much that I now plan
Thanks again for the meaningful ways
on my education. My parents cannot
to embark on a new career path as a K-12
you help students.
afford to pay for my college because of
art teacher. Your generosity has literally
their low education and inability to find
changed my life, and I wanted you to
a better wage. There is currently no one
know how much I appreciate that.
much less graduated from college. I am the first to attend college and graduate with, at least, an associate’s degree. My scholarships, the David Lindberg
provides, and I am certain to promote your school to others.
ASHLEY NEIL There is not a single day that goes by
hospital-acquired infection. I was
that I do not secretly say “thank you” to
unable to pay for groceries, text books,
all the benefactors that graciously gave
or even a simple notebook to take notes
me scholarships to attend Inver Hills
in. Each semester I desperately prayed
Thank you for providing students like myself with generous
Community College’s Paralegal Program.
that I would receive a scholarship
scholarship support!
I cannot begin to express my sincerest
from the college, because there was
gratitude to Dakota Electric and Anytime
no other way that I could attend my
Fitness for their support in helping me to
classes. And each semester, a miracle
obtain my paralegal certificate.
letter would arrive in my email, stating
Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Rhodes Family Endowment Scholarship, have helped me afford not just tuition but also gas money, household bills, and medical bills.
I had received yet another scholarship.
and
semesters. I am utilizing the tutoring
Ever since I can remember I have always
I’m from Prior Lake, Minnesota.
program and I am a member of TRIO.
wanted to work in the legal field. My
I graduated from Prior Lake Senior
I have attended the Strengths Based
lifelong dream has always been to
High School and I’m a huge Minnesota
Leadership Program and I volunteer
become an attorney, but mounting
Twins fan. My family includes my Mom
my time outside of school whenever
school loans from my undergraduate
– Cindy, Dad – Dan, Stepmom – Peggy,
the opportunity arises. Once I earn my
degree and constant medical bills have
and Brother – Matt. Several years ago,
degree, my goal is to find a career in
always impeded my path. Today, my dream has become a reality.
member with a 3.82 GPA. This is all due in part because
I was living with chronic back pain that
Software Development where I will be
I may not be an attorney, but I am now a corporate paralegal,
someone gave me a chance and extended a helping hand in
caused me to be out of the workplace
able to give back to others with my time
working in Asset Management Law for Thrivent Financial.
the form of scholarships. I am elated and profoundly humbled
for many years. I was diagnosed with
and knowledge.
degenerative disc disease and have had
My education is my number one
multiple surgeries since then to lessen but I started to manage my pain through living a healthier lifestyle. Once my health improved, it became apparent that I needed to further my education and find a purpose. Like many, I’m a first-generation college student and completed 31 credits last year while maintaining a 3.98 GPA.
Those scholarship letters are the sole reason why I can now buy groceries and begin to pay off my medical and student loan bills. I graduated as a Phi Theta Kappa
At the time I was enrolled in my paralegal courses, I was facing a large amount of medical bills, student loan debt and a severe
to have received incredible scholarships that have paved the way towards a better life.
priority, and I am willing to put all of
the pain. Every day was a challenge,
10
picking me to be one of the recipients of
I do not have a very good income
KATIE DUOOS My
I also wanted to share that while I
in my family that has gone to college,
to have a laugh or make other people happy even if my day hasn’t been the best and I think that is
I wanted to express my deep gratitude for
my time and effort towards achieving my degree. I put this [scholarship] support to good use by
Provide the invaluable gift of higher education through scholarships, emergency assistance, food support,
paying for books, school supplies, and a much-needed desk
and more. With your help, DCTC & IHCC students can reach their goals and find success!
and chair. You have taken a lot of financial burden off of me.
Give now at:
dctc.edu/give
inverhills.edu/giving
Thank you!
I am an active member of our Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Katie, recipient of Thomson Reuters Scholarship & Dakota
and have made the President’s List for the past five consecutive
Electric Association Scholarship 11
