Pearl Rotary scholarship-makes college dream real His goal is a career in electrical engineering. But the financial reality for Lincoln High School senior Joaquin Jamiez-Giles made enrollment in college unlikely. That was the case until the North Portland resident was awarded Portland Pearl Rotary's $1,000 scholarship.
"I would not be going to college without this scholarship," Joaquin told Rotarians at the July 21 meeting. Joaquin said despite numerous applications, the PPRC annual award to a Lincoln grad was the only honor he received. He also related his high school academic growth that mushroomed during is junior year when he both pushed himself and "I had teachers that believed in me." He also took courses that gave college credit. "Now here I am...on to college." Joaquin will enroll at Portland Community College this fall, boosted also by a part-time job offered on the day he spoke by Rotarian Duane Cook, co-owner of Pearl Ace Hardware. In closing, Joaquin reflected the international theme of Rotary in '08-09, "Make Dreams Real." "Thanks to you guys, my dream will be coming through." |