carlos maldonado r.

This morning I was at the student ambassador choice awards.

I nominated Erin McGerald. The speech below is what I presented to the rest of the nominees and Student Ambassadors. Thanks to her I’ve been given a reason to post to this blog…because I am SCAD!

” It all began with a phone Conversation on October 4^th 2010.

 

I was a Senior at the time and had called for information about SCAD. At the time going to college seemed like a mere opportunity due to my lack of funds and educational family background. My admissions counselor, Erin McGerald, had given me the initial steps to applying into SCAD and ever since then my admissions progress began. Within a couple of months I was admitted into the school on November 18^th 2010.

 

Through the excitement and common question of  “where are you going to college? “ in high school, I would answer Possibly SCAD. Because I didnt want to jinx my possibility of attending, but in the back of my head I questioned my financial opportunity.

 

Through the months, I kept contact with Erin applying and processing for scholarships trying to find resources and mediums to get to SCAD. Unfortunately I hadn’t reached enough financial aid to attend the school that I reached a devastating point in my opportunity to attend the university. On May 22 2011 a few days before my graduation I sent Erin an e-mail that to this day gives me Goosebumps.

It said:

 

“Hello Erin! 

Than you so much for your willingness to help me and assisting me in the process of applying to SCAD, I’m not loosing the hope to attend SCAD Atlanta some day, and meanwhile I will continue with my works. … my goal is to attend SCAD Atlanta one day an therefore I will do what I can to save money for this school. I would like to appreciate your time and willingness to help me. Again, I intend on applying again since I wasn’t able to hear back this year, but I do greatly appreciate you and your help as well  as the Scholarship Committee for evaluating my applications. If it’s possible that my application my be deferred or if there is a better chance to receive financial in another way, please let me know, either way your help is greatly appreciated. A final thank you and I WILL graduate from SCAD some day. My best regards-

Sincerely,
– Carlos Maldonado “

 

In the e-mail I had given up the possibility of coming to SCAD since I hadn’t heard back from the scholarship committee, but even then I still stated that my determination and goal was to come to this school.

Very fortunately, I stand today thanking my Admissions Counselor for answering my 14 question e-mail, 30 conversational emails, and more than a years worth of communication that have informed me with all there was needed to know in order to be standing here today in the school of my dreams that is currently my reality! 

 

Thank you Ms. Erin McGerald!

I could not be here with out your assistance!

 

**And thank you to the Scholarship committee who took the time to read over my submissions and has provided me with this financial opportunity.”

 

This morning was a great moment to really show my appreciation.