The Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation is proud to announce Brother Joel Ojeda from the Lambda Gamma Chapter at the University of California, Santa Cruz as a recipient of the 2021 Opportunity for Wisdom scholarship. Brother Joel will be able to apply this $1000 scholarship towards his college expenses. Please read his letter and view his message below.
Brothers and Donors of the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation,
I want to first and foremost thank everyone involved for making this Scholarship happen. It is an honor to be one of the two recipients of the 2021 Opportunity for Wisdom Scholarship and an honor to be part of this great Brotherhood that upholds our principle of Scholarship. Awarding this scholarship to brothers every year to alleviate some financial burden that comes with school speaks volumes of our Fraternity.
Who would have thought that a kid who arrived from a rural town in Mexico and went into the education system taking English Learning classes would end up obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and now pursuing a Master’s of Science? Crossing those stages to receive my degree are also a representation of breaking systemic barriers. Barriers that were established to ensure people like myself do not succeed.
Everyone has their story and their "Why". The road to this point has not been easy. As I was navigating the spaces of higher education as an undocumented student, I experienced homelessness, I had to cope with my father’s deportation in my second year of college, deal with the news of my mother having a cancerous bump on her chest, and confront constant micro-aggressions from the outside world. This motivation to continue to cross systematic borders and break barriers comes from the inspiration that my Mother gives me on the daily. So this Scholarship and milestones go out to her. She is my "Why".
I am sincerely grateful for coming across this brotherhood that has assisted me in getting through it all. Brothers have really been an extension of my family and key supporters that have pushed me to reach my potential as a leader. That is why I continue to stay active in any way that I can. I appreciate the opportunities and resources this organization has brought me. Thank you Brothers. Thank you SLB. And thank you to the Education Foundation.
Fraternally,
Joel "PRAUTES" Ojeda #70
Spring '15 - Lethal Lambda Gamma Chapter
University of California, Santa Cruz
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