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The Bright Foundation Honors 2019 Lois Dale Scholarship Recipients

The Bright Foundation Honors 2019 Lois Dale Scholarship Recipients

On May 20, 2019, the Bright Foundation hosted a dinner reception in recognition of the 2019 Lois Dale Scholarship recipients. Scholars from 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 attended the event with their guests. Representatives from all five high schools also attended the event. Bright Foundation board members welcomed the students and shared information about the foundation. All of the new scholars were presented with medallions and books telling the story of Lois and Dale Bright.

The 2019 Lois Dale Scholarship recipients include:

Sauda Abdullahi – University of Iowa
Anthony Arellano – Iowa State University
Edward Castruita – Iowa State University
Lilyahna Kowal – Iowa State University
Jadon Landers – Iowa State University
Evelyn Marquez – Iowa State University
Aracely Miron-Ocampo – University of Iowa
Brandie Paye – Iowa State University
Edwin Rojas – Iowa State University
Day Say – University of Northern Iowa
Paige Sensouk – University of Iowa
Yabsira Tekle – University of Iowa

During the event, remarks were provided by:

Meredith Dohmen – Director of Scholarships, Bright Foundation
Thomas Press – President and Managing Director, Bright Foundation
Ashlee Duimstra – School Counselor, East High School
Robbi Boggess – Student, University of Iowa

“Being a Bright Scholar means being part of a family that is selfless and giving, and which strives to provide a better future for today’s youth who, in turn, will contribute to society.”

“During college, the Bright Scholarship allowed me to focus on school instead of working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In my three years since college, the same has been true – instead of being forced to worry about accepting any job just to pay my student loans, I’ve been able to chase (and land) my dream job!”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“I want to personally thank the Bright Foundation for this year. I would not be nearly as successful without their financial support. I come from an incredibly humble background and the financial stability they have given me in the form of this scholarship has allowed me to commit my highest potential to my classwork. They are the reason I am the student I am today. I have tried to carry the Bright Foundation’s values close to my heart this academic year. I worked extremely hard and devoted much of my outside time to volunteer work. I cannot put into works how grateful I am for the opportunities this foundation has given me. They have laid the groundwork for all of my current and future success. I plan to celebrate these values, and this foundation for the rest of my life.”

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”

“I cannot even begin to properly thank or even put into words how much this foundation has helped put me on an amazing path to reach and accomplish my dreams. Ever since I was seven years old, I have wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to be able to help people, to make sick people better, to be a healer, and to learn and grow to the fullest of my abilities. Because of the Bright scholarship, these dreams and goals are closer within reach. I am achieving success in ways I never thought were possible. My dreams may have been to help others and learn as much as I possibly can, but this foundation has helped me and given me the chance to do the things I love, to push myself, learn, and experience the joy of hard work and success. This scholarship inspired me to help others as well. Currently, I am pursuing a research opportunity with Dr. Mario Ascoli, Carver College of Medicine, to help with work on finding cures for infertility. I am also in the beginning stages of recruitment for alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority! A lot of things have been going on for me, but none of this would be possible without the Bright Foundation. This foundation gave me the blessing of not having to be stressed, financial security, the ability to reach my goals, but most importantly, faith in myself to do what I love best, so again, thank you.”