Students Awarded $5000 in Scholarships at Utah NAME’s 2010 Annual Conference “Narratives of Bravery and Hope”
Salt Lake City, Utah
What makes you diverse? What challenges have you faced because of your diversity? How have those challenges made you grow, be brave, have hope? How has your diversity helped you in your life?
In Spring 2010, junior high and high school students wrote essays and produced short films to answer these questions in a competition sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. 192 students submitted essays from across Utah to compete for one of the five $1000 scholarships.
"I think what that number really represents is the large number of diverse students in Utah who are courageous enough to write about their experiences," said Utah NAME president Ramona Maile Cutri.
Students wrote passionate essays about their life experiences inside and outside of school - their triumphs and how they survived discrimination and challenges. One of the scholarships was awarded to Korean American Syracuse High school student Paul Crowley who wrote:
"Throughout the years, I have attended 14 different schools. My cultural background helped me to meet new friends, but at the same time, I would be discriminated [against] in certain places that I lived. Cultural background was one thing, but religious beliefs would also be another factor of discrimination.
Though I faced these trials, I stayed strong and focused on the positive things in life." When he graduates Crowley plans to attend the Air Force Academy or another military institution.
Stephanie Oran, a Peruvian American high school student, wrote about her changed thinking related to her self-worth after attending a Utah Valley University summer program “Latino Educators of Tomorrow”:
“I opened up to my friends and told them how I used to be ashamed of being who I was and how I didn't stand up for myself on the one occasion I could've. I believe it takes courage to realize that you were wrong, and bravery to forgive yourself, and despite everything, keep on going. That's what I've chosen to do, and I'm not just going to prove [to] everyone else that I, a Hispanic, can accomplish things. I'm going to prove it to myself, because I know it will make me a better person. My race has helped me realize that I [can] accomplish much, and I can make a difference in the lives of others by my example.”
Scholarships were awarded at the Annual Utah NAME Conference, Narratives of Bravery and Hope: Embracing Diversity in Utah at Westminster College on March 27th, 2010. Winners included:
Nyalok Dhol » 10th grade, East High School, Salt Lake City.
Stephanie Oran » 12th grade, Timpview High School, Provo.
Paul Crowley » 11th grade, Syracuse High School, Syracuse.
Aziza J. Hussein » 9th grade, Granite Park Middle School, South Salt Lake.
Bibhash C. Neupane » 8th grade, Glendale Middle School, Salt Lake City.
