2006-07 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner:
Megan Wong
Megan's Essay Question and Letter of Recommendation
Inspiration and Overcoming Goals
The biggest challenge that I have overcome took place during my freshmen year in high school. No I did not fall on my face in front of the whole school and have everyone laugh at me. I would say that would have been funny. My story is a little different. My mother has two daughters, my sister and I. When my mother had a falling out with our family members she was not the only one to be taken away form them. I was not able to talk to my grandparents and other loved ones, because of choices my family had made. As I was growing up I was always taught that family was everything, and that they were the most important people in life, your main priority. Then one day my family was gone, out of my life forever. I was torn between betraying my mother and not communicating with the rest of my family. I did not know what to do, so I turned to drugs and alcohol.
During my freshmen year I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol, I foolishly believed that it would numb the pain for the loss of my family, and the resentment towards my mom. As I continued down this self-destructive path I started to do poorly in school and resented my parents more and more. Just as I thought things couldn’t get wore I was discharged from Diamond Bar High School because of a poor choice I made. I was not able to return for one year so I went to continuation school. While I was there, I started to realize that my choices were keeping me from being happy, not only with myself but with my parents as well. So I decided to make amends with both my parents and myself. I hated the fact that I had hurt my parents and I was ready to make a change for the better. I forgave my mom and dad for all the hurt they had caused me, they in return forgave me. I stayed clean, sober and, started to pay attention in school. I changed my priorities! I started to notice I was much happier and so were my parents, and there was once again peace in our home.
Jenna, my sister has always been my guardian angel. She is more than a sister she is also my confidant and best friend. When I was in trouble she always found a way to help and counsel me to make better choices. She was always the buffer between my mother and I, even when it was a very hard place to be. My sister has always been such a beautiful person inside and out, and when she started teaching she was then able to inspire even more people than just myself. I see how proud she is of all her student’s accomplishments and how she encourages them to do their best. Not only is her job fulfilling it is also rewarding.
My goals for the future are to go to Mount San Antonio College for 2 years and then on to a 4-year college and ultimately become a teacher. I want to inspire other kids that are in the same places I have been, as my sister inspired me, I want to make a difference to others the way Mr. Duenas have impacted all of you. I see my sister giving back to the world everyday, and it compels me to move forward into a teaching career so I can give back to a world that gave me many second chances.
Recommendation Letter
Dear members of The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship,
I am writing to you on behalf of Megan Wong. I have known Megan for, four years now and she has been tutoring my Nine year old child for two. She is very attentive and is willing to go as far as, change her own personal schedule for my child. She has tutored my child in many different subjects such as English, math and history. I know Megan because she is a close friend of the family, and we share a common interest which is to help each other out when in need. The reason I chose to write this letter of recommendation for her was because I know how good Megan is and what she loves, and I know that she will go far in what ever she puts her mind to. I know that she will use this scholarship for the right reasons, especially if she is choosing a career to help children. We know Megan has had her ups and downs, but that is part of life and it is something we must all go through. Megan deserves this scholarship because she has a good heart and is willing to give a piece of it to all, especially to those who are in need. Thank you for taking the time to consider Megan as a candidate.
Sincerely,
Esther Acuna
Mentor, Employer
