NPC student feels ‘blessed’ to receive Donathan scholarship
Juan Hernandez, a National Park College student, says he feels “blessed” to be awarded the Ray and Willodene Donathan scholarship.
“I don’t really receive any financial aid from the government. All my scholarships or any that I receive have to be from local ones or just ones that are collected by the school. I feel mainly blessed as well, because well, during the school time, I tried to keep two jobs, because since I have to pay my college out of pocket to try to figure out how to get money for that and my parents try to help me the best they can. However, I try not to; I guess be a burden in a way for them. So I try to help myself as much as I can, so they don’t have to worry about it,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez says he can work less, focus more on schools, and does not have to worry as much.
“During the summer, I usually keep about three to four jobs,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez read the requirements and saw that he fits them, noting, “I tried to keep the best grades that I can. I’ve basically been praying a lot about hopefully that I can receive some type of help, especially during these times because of COVID. Recently, and before, I had lost a few jobs because of COVID. So I had to go back as well to my hometown and had to work there and try to find jobs there, which there’s not really too many. But I try my best, and I feel like I’ve put a lot into my studies, and I’ve done a lot of effort. And I feel like because of it, I have received a scholarship as well.”
Hernandez plans to go into pharmaceutical marketing.
“I was going all around. It was difficult trying to figure out my degree; it was first business and then education and then going back to business and then nursing, and then it just was everywhere. But then finally, I kind of broke it down and was like, I really like the
science field, and I really love the business field as well. And so I was looking for a job that would kind of infuse both,” Hernandez said.
“Juan Hernandez was a pleasure to have in my World Lit I class. While I was unable to meet him in person due to the online nature of the course, in our correspondence, he was always very polite and friendly. Juan has a positive attitude and is sincere about his education. He will go far,” Nannette CranePost, professor of English, said in a news release.
“Juan was an exemplary student of mine. He attended all classes, came prepared, worked ahead of schedule on assignments and submitted them in full and on time. He was always polite, respectful, and a leader among his peers. He is most deserving of the Ray and Willodene Donathan scholarship. They would be proud of his accomplishments thus far as well as what his future promises in further success,” Roger Fox, dean of Communication and Arts, said in the release.