ACC-Ontario LVN student Maurissa Hinojosa (center) was awarded a $1,500 "Live Your Dream" scholarship by Soroptimist International of Chino Valley.
To follow your dream takes energy, dedication and hard work. Money doesn't hurt either.
ACC-Ontario student Maurissa Hinojosa was awarded a $1,500 "Live Your Dream" scholarship from Soroptimist International of Chino Valley on Sept. 14 after writing an essay about her passion for nursing.
"My education and career goals stem from what I’ve always aspired to be, which is a nurse. Ever since I can remember, I had a pulling on my heart to be a caregiver, someone who is an active part of making others feel well and loved," Hinojosa wrote. "To be able to make a difference in someone else’s life is such a rewarding accomplishment. I didn’t choose nursing. Nursing really chose me."
Each year the Soroptimist Live Your Dream program awards more than $1.6 million in education grants to more than 1,200 women, many of whom have overcome obstacles in their life including poverty and domestic violence.
“Our mission is to empower women and girls through education for a better economic status,” Chino Valley Soroptimist Director Donna Young said, "and one of our biggest ways is to award scholarships to young ladies and women who are in educational programs."
Hinojosa, who will be the first nurse in her family, said the prize is going towards her education. She's enrolled currently in the Vocational Nursing program but said her ultimate goal is to become a Registered Nurse and earn a Bachelors of Nursing.
"I’m shocked and very honored to get this award," Hinojosa said. "This is what I love to do."
