Fall 2008 Scholarship Spotlight - Ohlone College Foundation
Lisa Munn
- Abe & Hannah Hochler Memorial Scholarship
“Fortunately for me, fate took care of this by removing my obligations from me through the loss of my income, home and credit; seemingly a nightmare but turning quickly in to the largest blessing have received in my life since the birthday of my three children…”
I had looked forward to attending my reunion since days after graduation – the chance to see everyone again, swap stories and share goals achieved. But as the date approached, I began to get nervous; things had not gone as planned in the last year financially and career-wise. When I took some time to confront this nervousness, I realized what a gift I had been given in my recent events and became excited to share my latest plans and goals with everyone I saw there.
Ohlone College is giving me a second chance at recreating my life according to what I had always wanted for myself: a satisfying career in Nursing, and the chance to go as far a possible in my education for this career. Maintaining excellent grades and taking Honors classes throughout high school, I had always assumed I would attend college and pursue a career in healthcare.
Things changed course when I became pregnant with my first daughter Jayanna, now nine, shortly after high school. I then chose a much quicker Medical Assisting program at a local R.O.P. and found a job working at a local Kaiser. A few years later I took an opportunity to learn the Home Lending industry, which I remained in, although most of the time under high stress and unhappy, for seven years. I was very lucky to become successful in my position in the lending industry, purchasing a home for myself and my three children, but found myself chasing the bills, and never with enough time to come back to school, where I knew I needed to be.
Fortunately for me, fate took care of this by removing my obligations from me through the loss of my income, home and credit; seemingly a nightmare but turning quickly into the largest blessing I have received in my life since the birth of my three children. Having the support from my family and so many others has opened doors I had thought were closed permanently, now allowing me to complete my Associates Degree in Nursing and continue forward with a rewarding career in Nursing. Once this goal is obtained, I plan on continuing my education completing my Bachelor’s and then moving forward to complete my Master’s Degree. Thank you for this Foundation scholarship!
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