Wenley’s education journey began in Haiti, where his early years of elementary school were marked by curiosity and a passion for learning. Despite facing financial challenges in high school, he graduated with the help of a scholarship, fueled by his passion for...
First Literacy Scholars 2024-2025
Shelia
Shelia grew up in a close-knit family in West Africa where she saw first-hand the impact dedicated healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, had on her community which ultimately led to her goal of becoming a nurse. Sheila devoted much of her time after high...
Safia
Safia is from Algeria where she obtained her high school diploma along with a certificate in financial accounting. She moved to Boston in May 2015 to seek healthcare, secure a good job, complete her education, and buy a house for her family. After a few years, she...
Sabrina
Sabrina was born in Uruguay and moved to the United States with her parents when she was seven years old. Her parents were determined to provide her with a better future. In 2013 Sabrina graduated from Fitchburg High School. While she was proud of this accomplishment,...
Kamrunnaher
Kamrunnaher grew up in a small village in Bangladesh called Lakshmipur. The oldest of five children, she was always focused on being a great role model for her siblings. Very diligent in school, she was one of only five women in her village to be accepted into the...
Nicole
Nicole grew up in the Dominican Republic and dreamt of being a fashion designer. She had plans to pursue a college degree in marketing and graphic design in her home country, but two weeks before her program was about to start, Nicole received news that she and her...
Nancary
In 2019, Nancary and her family came to the United States from the Dominican Republic to make a better life for themselves. Growing up with an absent father, her mother instilled in her and her four siblings that drive and perseverance are essential to excel in...
Khadija
Khadija's journey from Casablanca to the United States has been filled with challenges and triumphs as she navigated a new life and language barriers to build a better future for herself and her family. With a bachelor's degree in physics, Khadija arrived in the U.S....
Erika
Growing up in a challenging environment, Erika faced hardship after her mother's passing at a young age. Her father often struggled to put food on the table and worked long hours leaving Erika to care for the house and her siblings. Despite the difficulties, she...
Angel
Angel attended Boston Public Schools where she was bullied to an extreme extent, leading to a broken hip that her bullies were not held accountable for. She endured a long and painful recovery. Despite excelling in math, teachers discouraged her and even gave her a...
Andres
In school in the Dominican Republic, Andres had initially struggled in English classes until he was drawn in by a Twenty One Pilots song that he connected to and wanted to be able to understand. He began to utilize language learning apps like Duolingo and started...
Ana
Ana was born in Medellin, Colombia and faced financial hardship growing up after her family went bankrupt. They struggled with basic needs and education expenses, leading them to move to the United States for a fresh start. After finishing her 6th semester of...
Bismillah
Bismillah grew up in Afghanistan where ongoing conflict made it extremely challenging to excel in school. He faced numerous challenges and hardships that could have easily derailed his dream of pursuing higher education, but determination and perseverance have enabled...
Luis
Luis is from Nicaragua. In 2018, his life took a drastic turn. He was studying industrial engineering at the Engineering University of Nicaragua when anti-government protests erupted, and the police began targeting, killing, kidnapping, and imprisoning students from...
Enrique
Enrique is from El Salvador. After finishing high school, he joined a Roman Catholic seminary for four years before seeking a new path in pursuit of his dream of becoming a graphic designer. Life outside the seminary was difficult, gangs are prevalent in his home...
Bintou
Bintou is from a small town in Africa’s Ivory Coast. For girls in her family going to school was unheard of. Her father believed school was designed for boys and girls were meant to stay at home, learning to cook, clean, and eventually take care of a husband, a home,...
Christele
Christele packed her bags and traveled from Haiti to the United States with the intention of staying for 2 weeks. She came to the U.S. to get away from the dangers and stress disrupting her life in Haiti. The two weeks turned permanent when she realized it was unsafe...
Anny
Anny lost her mother to cancer when she was just 13 years old. Growing up with her father and three brothers she learned to be strong, grateful, and happy. In her home country she worked hard to achieve her professional goals. Now living in the U.S. she is determined...
Fougere
Fougere was born in Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. to seek a better life for himself and his family. When Fougere moved to the U.S. he faced a language barrier, but he was determined to be a role model to his five children. He is currently working to improve his...
Valentina
Valentina came to the United States from Colombia. When she arrived the language was foreign, the culture unknown, and the environment vastly different from what she was accustomed to. As she set foot in her new life, she knew she had to start from the bottom,...
Diana
Diana is from the Dominican Republic where much of the country lives in poverty. She is the first in her family to move to the United States looking for opportunities for a better life. She excelled in academics of all levels in her home country despite the toxic...