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Foundation for A Bright Future Awards 2024 Veterans Families Scholarships

The Foundation for A Bright Future, established by Louis Hernandez Jr., recently announced its recipients for the 2024 Veterans Families Scholarships. Ephraim Cho from Texas and Adrian Villegas from Arizona are honored for their exemplary commitment to education and their inspiring personal journeys.

Meet the Recipients

Ephraim Cho: A Resilient Scholar

Ephraim Cho, a remarkable 19-year-old, is set to attend Yale University this fall, where he will double major in Biochemistry and Applied Math. His path to academia has been anything but simple. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Ephraim's family faced financial hardships after the 2008 recession led to his father's business closure. His father's enlistment in the military resulted in serious injury and disability, fundamentally changing their family dynamics. Since 2020, Ephraim has balanced academic excellence with family responsibilities, supporting both his father and younger sibling. With a weighted GPA of 4.67, he has taken on leadership roles in various school activities, including being Team Captain of the Science Bowl and Concertmaster in the school orchestra.

"As a low-income college student, money has frequently been a tough subject for me and my family. This scholarship has not only alleviated some of our worries, but it has also allowed me access to leadership development and mentorship opportunities that could empower me in my journey towards success and ultimately family contribution,” shares Ephraim.

Adrian Villegas: A Compassionate Caregiver

Adrian Villegas, aged 36, is another outstanding recipient, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing. Living in Glendale, Arizona, Adrian navigates the complexities of caring for her husband, who suffers from CPTSD, while raising four children. Despite the challenges, she maintains a 4.0 GPA and works as a self-employed delivery driver for Amazon, demonstrating remarkable time management skills. Adrian aspires to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to provide care for veterans and their families transitioning to civilian life.

Reflecting on her scholarship, she states, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. These words from Helen Keller reflect my gratitude to For A Bright Future for placing their trust in me by awarding me this scholarship.”

Foundation's Mission and Impact

Founded as a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of underprivileged children, the Foundation emphasizes the importance of education in lifting families out of poverty. By awarding scholarships with a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields, the Foundation aims to empower students from underserved backgrounds, including single-parent households and military families.

In 2024, the foundation received nearly 6,000 applications for its scholarships, signaling a pressing demand for educational support in communities across the country. Each application went through a thorough review process to ensure that only the most deserving recipients were selected.

The success of this initiative is attributed to the leadership of the Scholarship Committee, including Chairwoman Susie Hernandez and Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Oddo. Furthermore, acknowledgment is given to Luis Hernandez, Sr., a retired computer science professor, and Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations and Programs, for their commitment to identifying exceptional candidates nationwide.

To support future educational endeavors and enhance opportunities for underprivileged students, the foundation invites contributions via their donation page. You can also follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates.

With its diligent efforts, the Foundation for A Bright Future is truly illuminating the pathway for the next generation, fostering leaders who will make a meaningful impact on their communities.