Dear Friends,
2015 was another great year for High Bridge Foundation’s Scholarship Program. As you read this
message, our ten scholars have finished their first semester in college and are gearing to start the spring
semester after the holiday/winter break. We gathered brief comments from them and have their
permission to share these with you.
Thomas Booker (Fine Arts, State University of New York at Purchase): I believe the decision to attend
Purchase was divine intervention. With my top school being Rutgers (rejection), and my third University
of North Carolina School of the Arts (waitlisted), and hearing nothing from SUNY until two days before
National Decision Day. I was ecstatic when I received the offer to attend. I can say without a doubt that
SUNY Purchase was the perfect fit for me. Thank so much, High Bridge Foundation. Your aid in my
journey truly makes a difference.
Amber Bush (Mass Communications, Towson University): I had a very good semester. I made the Dean’s
List with a 3.6 GPA. I have joined various clubs and organizations such as the Student Government
Association, NAACP, and the Black Student Union. Towson has been a lot of fun so far, and I hope next
semester is even better!
Vanessa Herrera (Accounting and Finance, University of Maryland Honors College): I just finished my
first semester in college, and it has been an unforgettable adventure, to say the least. At first it took
some getting used to, but now I know that I belong here at the University of Maryland. I am learning so
much so fast, knowing that here is where I was meant to be, having these experiences that can only
happen in college. Thank you for helping me gain these experiences, and I hope you at High Bridge are
having a good year, as well!
Brice Hurling-Spears (Biology/Pre-Medicine, Hampton University): I hope everyone had a good holiday. I
am home on break and wanted to thank you again for the scholarship. I also wanted to let you know
that I am doing very well at Hampton. My mid-term GPA is a 4.0. Thank you and take care.
Emily Hutcheson (Environmental Engineering and Architectural Engineering, Missouri University of
Science and Technology): My first semester at Missouri University of Science and Technology has been
fantastic. I’ve been balancing my time between working as a teacher’s aide in the local elementary and
high schools and school. I also became active in the Greek community, with which I completed over 20
hours of community service and welcomed 120 girls into my life as sisters. Next semester I plan to join
the Solar House Design Team and begin classes for my major.
Adedotun Oseni-Adegbite (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): I quite liked my first semester at
MIT. At first the workload took some getting used to, but after I learned to better manage my time, I
became accustomed to it. Nonetheless I can easily say I’m excited for what next semester holds for me.
Julia Rodriguez (Public Relations, Champlain College): I hope this email finds you well and celebrating
the holiday season with loved ones! As for me, so far so good! I am on the Dean’s List! I am so happy in
Burlington and am truly happy with my choice in college. I have a job on campus as a diversity
ambassador. I come up with, plan, and execute events on campus. The events range from
cultural/religious celebrations to talks or simulations that promote understanding for different minority
groups on campus. I really love my job! Also, I have started volunteering with the Bernie Sanders
campaign. All in all, I would say my first semester was very successful, and I look forward to starting back
January 18! Thank you again for your generous support!
Miriam Tekle (Chemistry, University of Mary Washington): I am writing to thank you for your generous
$1,000 High Bridge Scholarship. I am very appreciative and thrilled to be one of the recipients of your
scholarship. I can proudly say that I made the right decision when choosing to attend the University of
Mary Washington, the past two semesters taught me how to think critically and work independently.
However, I cannot deny the fact that the beginning of college was a little bit rocky. Yet I will take this as
a learning experience and thrive to achieve my version of success. Thank you again for your generosity
and support.
Pauline Tran (Virginia Commonwealth University): I am incredibly thankful for being one of the few to
receive a scholarship from the High Bridge Foundation; it has helped me and my family greatly, as I am
one of the first to attend college in America. My first semester at VCU was both stressful and exciting. I
made some new friends and joined a couple student organizations, like the Vietnamese Student
Assocation and the Pre-Pharmacy Student Organization. However, it was surprisingly difficult to have a
social life while maintaining my grades. I thought I did fairly well in my classes, but most of my time was
devoted to schoolwork rather than meeting new people or hanging out with my friends. Next semester,
I’m going to strive to do better academically and socially! Please give my sincere gratitude to the donors.
My family and I are extremely grateful for their generosity. Happy Holidays!
Thomas Weaver (Morehouse College): I have thoroughly enjoyed my first semester at Morehouse
College in Atlanta, Georgia, and I cannot wait to return for the Spring! After completing my finals, I felt
that I had honestly grown as a person, both academically and mentally. My first semester was filled with
learning experiences that I feel I greatly benefited from, and I feel as though living on a college campus
surrounded by like-minded individuals striving for similar goals cannot be paralleled nor replicated in
any type of fashion. During my time on campus, I made it a requirement of myself to join organizations
that would greatly refine my skill sets. At the beginning of the semester, I was elected Vice-President of
the Morehouse Business Association for the Freshman Class, and I became a member of both the Moot
Court and Debate Teams on campus. For the Spring Semester, I have aspirations of leading a section of
the Maroon Tiger, our college news organization. Again, I would like to thank the High Bridge
Foundation for the help in making my dream a reality!
We deeply appreciate the blessings you shared with our 2015-2016 Scholars through your generous
support of High Bridge Foundation, Inc. Thank you so very much! As we welcome the New Year, we wish
you and yours a healthy and joy-filled year ahead.
Very sincerely yours,
Mayumi H. Escalante
President
