Two OHS seniors, Wesley Melendez and Anthony Segovia, were recently awarded Multicultural Vision Program Award grants from Iowa State University. The grants are full-tuition scholarships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, residents of Iowa, and identify as American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino, or Multiracial, or participated in Talent Search or Upward Bound. They must also have demonstrated academic potential in ways that go beyond class ranking or test scores. Scholarships are for four years.
Segovia is a first generation college attendee. His parents, from El Salvador, only completed the sixth grade but value education. “They asked if I had homework and made sure I did it,” he said. Another sibling is finishing a BA at William Penn this spring. With interests in math and science, he plans to pursue a degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. He hopes to attend a graduate school in the northeast and eventually find a job in a lab or as an engineer in that area. He is co-captain of the soccer team this year and is part of Bulldogs United, a new club for soccer players to provide community volunteer opportunities. This year he has done soccer clinics at the YMCA and helped with a community fundraiser. He works part-time at Hy-Vee Drugstore.
Melendez is also a first generation college student. His parents, from Mexico, did not complete high school. “They see education as very important,” he said. And with three younger siblings, Melendez sees himself as a role model for them. “My goal is for them to see me graduate from high school and go to college.” He is planning to be a teacher and is considering teaching Spanish. Currently, he is taking “Intro to Education,” a dual credit course through Indian Hills. Upon graduation, he will have accrued over 20 credits. His extra-curricular activities include Interact Club, Al Exito, soccer, Future Educators of America. He also volunteers as a reading buddy at Wilson Elementary and has tutored at Evans with the TRIO program. Melendez also received a Board of Director’s scholarship for $1,000 through TRIO. He works part-time at Kohl’s.
Educational Talent Search, a TRIO program, is in its second year at Ottumwa High School. It is funded through a grant from the federal Department of Education, administered by Indian Hills Community College and provides pre-college programming to students in grades 6-12. Iowa TRIO is the professional organization for persons working in a TRIO program. Each year Iowa TRIO awards 11 scholarships.
