Testimonials & Stories

Higher education is a gateway to the world and a rewarding career. In the future, my plans include working with people, the economy, and elements of marketing. College has not been an option for individuals, rather a necessity to be a candidate for competitive employment. Throughout my life, I have witnessed my family limit their educational opportunities, which resulted in negative outcomes with job placement, personal growth, and a rewarding future. As the second member of my family to graduate high school, and the first member to attend college, I would like to change the inherited trend within my family history and accomplish my personal and career goals.

"In spite of" are the three words that apply to my life. This year I found myself with limited parental supervision and encouragement. Currently, I live alone above a bar, provide myself with basic needs, and mentally encourage myself to strive for more out of life. In spite of my situation, I have demanded to go beyond what is expected of me by society. This misfortune has increased my ambition to graduate high school and attend a four-year college.

Outside of my experiences with personal leadership aiding in my well-being, I feel a great amount of satisfaction with my leadership on the football field. My senior year I was named captain, which required me to lead drills, mentor young players, and provide a positive behavioral example. During stressful game situations the coaches, players, and fans look to me to make thoughtful and experienced decisions on the field. In addition to my success on the football field, I risked my reputation and was cast as the lead in the high school musical. The football experience and the high school musical are successful examples to myself that I will make it!

If it wasn't for NEED, I may not have been able to pay for the remainder of my schooling. From the bottom of my heart, I greatly and truly appreciate the assistance that you were able to offer me. I was finally able to complete my education at Howard University and receive my Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management from Howard University with some big help from NEED. Thank You so very much. If there is ever anything that I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will do my best to oblige.

I would like to thank you for the support that yourself and need has provided me thus far in my college experience. When I first graduated high school many did not believe that I young man with a 1.7 GPA starting his senior year could turn it all around and do well in college. Very few have supported me along this journey and I am thankful for the ones who do. People like Mr. Johnson and yourself believe in me and by having that added driving force, it makes me work that much harder. I will continue to put my best efforts forward in school and endure to the end.

Your support through the NEED organization had made it possible for me to attend Princeton University, and I thank you for doing nothing less than changing my life. Here, I receive an unparalleled education and actively participate in the campus activities. In short, I love Princeton and feel I can flourish here. The educational and extracurricular resources available to me are numerous, and in my reach because of NEED. Thank you for your contribution to my education, and I hope one day to help another student like myself make his or her schooling possible.

I am writing to sincerely thank the NEED organization for the generous Achiever Scholarship that I received for the 2009-2010 academic school year. I see the results of your support every day while I am attending classes at Florida Southern College. My experience at this college has been everything I have ever dreamed of and more.

Every day, I am encountering new opportunities to get involved. For example, I was recently chosen to represent the college as a Florida Southern Ambassador. This will give me the chance to give tours and house prospective students, giving them the same warm welcome that I received must a few months ago. My picture will also be featured in the college’s brochures and handouts. It is amazing that within only a few weeks, so many outstanding opportunities have come my way. I deeply appreciate your support in making my college dreams become a reality.