(upbeat music)
- University of Portland
was the first college
I visited in my life.
I just completely fell
in love with the campus,
and knowing that it was a Catholic school
really hit home for me.
I was just very happy and overwhelmed,
because what a blessing
to receive a scholarship
that helps me with my
education, with my goals
and my future; that's just amazing.
I don't have anyone to like lean back on.
Although at home I do get like
full support and motivation
and all the love that I need,
I do lack that support of knowledge.
This is actually a new program
that we just launched
this spring, which is,
I'm really excited about.
That sense of community,
knowing that other people
are the same as you or
facing the same obstacles
brings out a sense of
relief, because you know
that you're not the only one,
and so helping these incoming freshmen
that are also first generation
really brings me to put
myself in their shoes
and say like, I struggle, I've been there.
Please let me help you,
because I don't want
anybody else to go through what I did.
I'm here for you.
I think University of Portland
has really helped me and
prepared me for my future,
and the community sense is so powerful.
The values that it carries with my faith
has just really shaped the
person that I am as of now,
and I know that since I'm a sophomore,
it will definitely continue
to help me find my identity.
I'm very excited for this journey,
and I'm very grateful
to just be sitting here
at my dream school.
