Johana Stubbs

Spring 2016
Dear Scholarship Committee:
After graduation, I plan to follow a career path in the tourism and hospitality field. To accomplish my goal I will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. After working closely with a local entrepreneur who owns a flower shop, assisting with many of her events this past year, I came to the conclusion that this is what I want to do. Not only did I learn the work ethic necessary to manage a business, but also I discovered that I am cut out for the task. I love planning events, designing, selling and meeting new people every day.
I personally believe that my ongoing motivation, and work ethic can help me achieve my career goal, since for the first three years of high school I had no parental support, and still I have managed to become a successful student. My teachers were my only guidance. They along with my persistence and desire to succeed provided me with what I needed. It was not until the end of my junior year that I was allowed by my guardian to participate in any activities and I have been trying to make up for lost time. Since I turned 18 I have held three different jobs while volunteering in the community. Currently I am juggling six club memberships and two jobs all at once. I am fully aware of the amount of energy and time that this schedule consumes, but I am trying to prove to my teachers, and community that I am y of financial help. The activities that I have participated in have changed who I am as a person. My love for animals is now greater than ever, after contributing to pet therapy at my local animal shelter. My people skills have grown and now I can approach people more easily. My time management and planning skills have also improved. I have managed to not only help animals in need, but also children in my community through tutoring and babysitting. Through volunteering I have come to know myself and my community better than ever before.
I was born in Honduras and lived with my mother until I was eight years old, when she passed away. Then I lived with my uncle who took care of me for the next two years. My father meanwhile, lived in Florida and was suffering from cancer. He arranged for my legal citizenship, and I was moved to the United States. Due to my father’s illness, his close friends became my legal guardians after he passed away a year after I arrived in the United States. My guardians’ rules were very rigid and my life consisted of only school and religion, so I left their home when I turned 18. Since then I have been with my boyfriend's family and my life has completely changed for the better, allowing me to get involved in school and community events for the first time in my life. I am struggling with funding my higher education, wanting to make my parents proud and becoming the first in my family to attend college. Overcoming the adversity I have faced in my life makes me even more motivated to move to the next exciting chapter.
I thank you sincerely for your time and generosity, and for considering me a scholarship recipient. Continuing my education after high school is not only a realistic goal, but necessary in order to work as a professional in the hospitality industry. With your support my goal will become a reality.
Respectfully,
Johana Stubbs