Multicultural Resource Center awards scholarships to 14 students

EASTON — Over a dozen eager students from the Eastern Shore, many of whom are first-generation college students, have been awarded funds to pursue their academic goals.

The Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center’s annual scholarship has awarded over $35,000 to 14 students for the upcoming fall term.

The Center has provided various resources and programs to assist students throughout their academic careers. From elementary after school programs to financial aid education, the organization has made it possible for families from the area’s growing immigrant communities to achieve different levels of education.

According to Victoria Gomez Lozano, the scholarship was established about four years ago and has slowly gained more funds to extend its assistance.

Gomez Lozano said there is no set criteria for an applicant to be awarded this scholarship, but it is designed for students who may not have a family history of attending higher education institutions.

“The two main things is first college generation and the need of the financial because sometimes some of the applicants are not eligible for all the scholarships, including FAFSA,” Gomez Lozano said.

According to Gomez Lozano, the funds provided by this scholarship have been used for a variety of aspects of academia including the purchase of laptops, books and dorm fees.

Morgan Lewis, an awardee of the scholarship program, said it is her overall goal to continue her education toward a masters and possible doctorate in psychology. Lewis said she is thankful for the scholarship because without the additional funds, she would have needed to take out loans for her undergraduate degree.

“With the support of Chesapeake Multicultural Center, I have been able to further my academic career at two different locations in order to get my undergraduate degree in psychology with the hopes to be able to help others who may not be so lucky and have those financial struggles or any number of other struggles,” Lewis said.

Gomez Lozano said she is proud that the center has provided opportunities for so many students and encourages everyone, regardless of academic background, to apply for the scholarship.

“I think it’s important because a lot of students don’t know that they can have the opportunity to go to college,” Gomez Lozano said. “… So I just think it’s very important, because the way they know that they can take advantage of the opportunity to make their dreams come true.”