Alumni Spotlight Series:

We want to spotlight the success of our LEF Scholarship recipients and share your words of wisdom with LISD's soon-to-be graduates.   Would you like to be a part of our Spotlight Series? 

If so, send Development Director Mary Worthington an e-mail at worthingtonm@lisd.net.

Taylor Jones - Texas A&M University
Taylor is a 2011 graduate of Flower Mound HS.  When asked who her favorite teacher was, she replied, "Without a doubt, Mrs. Chegwidden, my junior year AP English teacher."  Taylor received $500 as the recipient of the FMHS Lady Jaguar Soccer Scholarship, as well as $500 from the LISD Employee Giving Campaign Scholarship. 

Q&A with Taylor:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Taylor:  Most of the scholarship money I received from LEF went toward buying textbooks for this semester. The rest went toward the general cost of tuition.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Taylor:  Definitely apply. It seems kind of silly, especially after having been in college for a semester, to turn down a chance at free money for college. Every little bit helps.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Taylor: It was definitely worth it. In general, scholarship applications are long, tedious and never fun, but when it's the end of the semester and you have money left in the bank thanks to the scholarship you won, it makes all the difference in the world.

LEF:  What is the best/worst advice you received as an incoming freshman?
Taylor:  Get involved!!! I don't care if you're headed off to a Division One college or a small private school, every campus has tons of ways to get involved in something that interests you. Campus organizations are a fantastic way to meet new people, particularly at large schools like A&M where there are approximately 50,000 students. The education we receive is important, but the time you invest in college discovering yourself and discovering what makes you passionate about life are vital. It's finding your passion in life.  The lessons you learn from that passion will provide you with an education that lasts long after you've left a classroom.

Chris Han - Baylor University
Chris is a 2011 graduate of Hebron HS.  He couldn't pick just one favorite teacher, so he picked two!  Overall, his favorite teacher was Ms. Evans, who was his third grade teacher at Polser Elementary.  His favorite high school teacher was Mr. Kuhn, who taught AP Physics.

Q&A with Chris:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Chris:  I used the scholarship money on housing.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Chris:  The scholarship process isn't complicated, and it definitely is worth it to apply for as many as possible. You should try your best on all of the scholarships that interest you. I did not do any essay contests because I did not have time for those, and honestly, I do not like writing 2000 words for one scholarship that I most likely won't get. After you have applied for each scholarship, make sure you pray about it daily because I believe that the Lord provided me with these scholarships in order to help my parents.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Chris: Applying for scholarships is worth it because you have a chance of receiving money for college, and it never hurts to try. If you never try, you never know what opportunities are out there for you.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Chris:  To study every single day for difficult classes. To never skip class unless you are sick or have a family emergency. Have a designated day for resting and spending time with friends rather than trying to study and hang out at the same time.

Rachel Robillard - The University of Texas at Austin
Rachel is a 2011 graduate of Flower Mound HS.  Her favorite teacher in high school was Mr. Kyle Washler, who taught Pre-AP Geography her freshman year and and AP Human Geography her senior year. She received $1,125 as the recipient of the Kristen Jackson Memorial Scholarship.

Q&A with Rachel:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Rachel:  My scholarship from LEF went toward college textbooks.  They are expensive!

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Rachel:   Don't procrastinate!

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Rachel: Yes, applying for scholarships most definitely is worth the effort because who doesn't like financial aid? Unfortunately, college is not cheap.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Rachel:  I wish someone had told me that there would be a lot of walking on college campuses. Wear tennis shoes!

LEF:  What is the best/worst advice you received as an incoming freshman?
Rachel:  Best advice: Sleep is essential in college; Worst advice: There is no time for sleep in college!

Ashley Nowels - Dallas Baptist University
Ashley is a 2010 graduate of Lewisville HS.  She couldn't name just one favorite teacher so she picked three: Mrs. Rabe at Parkway Elementary, Mrs. Large at Hedrick Middle and Mrs. Cooke from LHS. She received $500 as the recipient of the Frank and Jane Koeninger Memorial Scholarship.

Q&A with Ashley:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Ashley:  My scholarship from LEF went towards my tuition here at DBU.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Ashley:   Apply, apply, apply!  It takes time, but it's well worth it!

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Ashley: Yes!  The time you spend writing an essay or filling out an application for a scholarship is much less than then time you would have to spend working to make that same amount for school.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Ashley:  It takes time to adjust to life away from the familiar sights and comforts of home, but the key to settling in is to step out of your comfort zone and get involved!  You will meet so many new people who are in the same unfamiliar place as you!  Don't be intimidated by college!  It is so fun and such a time of growth!

Kian Hervey - Southern Methodist University
Kian is a 2010 graduate of Hebron HS, and her favorite teacher was Mrs. Gayle Koskielski from Arbor Creek Middle School.  She received $1,000 as the recipient of the Hebron High School PTSA Scholarship, as well as $500 from the Dr. Dale Jackson Memorial Scholarship.

Q&A with Kian:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Kian:  I was fortunate to recieve two LEF scholarship. The first paid for my fall semseter books. The second paid for my MacBook, which was required by my school major.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Kian:   There is no reason not to seek scholarships. Even if your tuition, room & board are all paid, you will still need money to cover expenses. College isn't cheap, but there is money out there. Computers, books and extracurriculars (fraternities, sororities, honors) are expenses that add up. Seek out any scholarship opportunity for you, your family and your future.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Kian: Yes!  The time required to apply for scholarships is minimal in comparison to the effort required to get into a university. I used my senior fall semster to finish college applications and my spring to find money to pay for college. The senior year of high school provides much free time and using that time productively can ensure your freshman year of college is just as great. The time I spent was well worth the money I received.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Kian:  I wish someone would have told me you don't need to go to every party. I wasted so much time trying to be social and superfically bonded with people who were not like me. Don't let circumstance push you into making decisions. Make them from the start. Also, you will get homesick. If you can, go home. It makes the world of a difference to sit at home for a weekend. Give in, go home, return refreshed.

The best advice I received as an incoming freshman was from SMU's Learning Enhancement center.  They told me, "College is a job-- 40 hours a week. Make the most out of your day by working from 9am to 5pm: work out, go to class, study, eat, etc. It keeps you on task and your nights free for anything that might come up. Make a schedule and stick to it."

Ryan Haines - Case Western Reserve University
Ryan is a 2010 graduate of Flower Mound HS where his favorite teacher was Mr. Dalak.  He received $500 as the recipient of the Neal E. Wilson Memorial Scholarship.

Q&A with Ryan:

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Ryan:  The scholarship helped with tuition.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Ryan:   Do not be discouraged if you do not get many of the scholarships you apply for.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Ryan: Yes!  If you do get a scholarship, the money earned per time spent is typically better than any high school job.

LEF:  What's the best advice you can give to incoming freshman?
Ryan:  Believe it when people tell you that college academics will be MUCH harder than high school academics.

Angell Kim - St. Mary's University
Angell is a graduate of Marcus HS where her favorite teacher was Mrs. Dorothy Houck.  She received $500 as the recipient of the Lewisville/Flower Mound Jaycees Scholarship.

Q&A with Angell:

LEF: Who was your favorite LISD Teacher?
Angell: Mrs. Dorothy Houck from Marcus High School

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Angell:  Expensive college textbooks!

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Angell:  One piece of advice I would give is to apply to local scholarships.  I was more successful attaining those.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Angell: Yes, the time to crank out essays and apply for scholarships is worth the effort because your diligence will pay off -- literally! You are filing applications and writing essays for $250, $500, or even $1,000 scholarships!

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Angell:  I wish someone emphasized to me the importance of my freshman year.

Catherine Gillam - University of Texas
Catherine is a graduate of The Colony HS where her favorite teacher was Mr. Gary Nagel. She received $500 as the recipient of The Colony HS PTSA Scholarship.

Q&A with Catherine:

LEF: Who was your favorite LISD Teacher?
Gillam: Mr. Gary Nagel at The Colony High School

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Gillam:  To be honest, the university just took my money. I have no idea exactly what it was used for, but I know I don't have any bills due right now!

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Gillam:  Start early and never stop applying!

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Gillam: The time I invested was worth it. I put in time as if I was working a job and got the money out as if I was working one as well.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Gillam:  Money goes so fast. You really need to keep track of what you are spending and make sure not to just purchase things because you want them. You would be surprised how much toilet paper costs when you are broke and out of it!

Leticia Rojas - Harvard University
Leticia is a graduate of Lewisville HS, and her favorite teacher was Ms. Karen Cooke. She received $500 from the Jacqueline, Jason, & Jordan Ulichnie Honorary Scholarship.

Q&A with Leticia:

LEF: Who was your favorite LISD Teacher?
Leticia: Karen Cooke from Lewisville High School.

LEF:  How were you able to use the money received from your LEF scholarship?
Leticia:  I used the money from my scholarship to pay for my spring semester textbooks.

LEF:  What advice do you have for high school graduates regarding the scholarship process?
Leticia:  I would tell them that writing a little essay now can save them a lot of pain later (i.e. having to look for a job, struggling on the ramen diet, etc.). No matter what, it IS worth it to apply for as many scholarships as you can. Even if it is tempting to just go for the big money scholarships, don't ignore the smaller scholarships.  Every little bit helps! Definitely show the committe (if applicable) you want the scholarship and will not waste the generous opportunity they are giving you.

LEF:  Do you think the time it takes to apply for scholarships is worth the effort?  Why or why not?
Leticia: Yes, because when you enter college, especially your freshman year, you have plenty of things to worry about with classes, moving to a new location and being on your own for the first time. In that scary but exciting year, it is important not to have to worry so much about having a job right away.  These are definitely helpful, but when you first get to college, you want to give yourself time to adjust. In the end, it is a small piece of your time now compared to the trouble it will save you later.

LEF:  What do you wish someone had told you before you started your freshman year?
Leticia:  The best advice I've received as an incoming freshman is to be open to new experiences. I've met so many new people this year, and as a result, I now have a diverse, close-knit group of friends who I know will be my friends for life. I've gone out and tried new foods, explored new places, and I've had a lot of fun. It is worth it to be a little adventurous because you never know what you'll end up loving.