Sara Schuch – College Adviser at Bedford HS

 I have worked with one particular senior nearly every day this year. I helped her through the college application process and shared in her elation as she was accepted to her first choice school to major in secondary science education. However, her first choice school is a fairly expensive private college and her family is financially incapable of helping her pay for her education. She works two jobs to save for college and she has worked tirelessly on scholarship applications, writing roughly 30 essays. This dedication paid off in enough scholarship money to cover all but $2,000 per year of her tuition.

 One of my favorite stories of students is a current low-income, first-generation senior. Her parents did not want or expect her to continue her education after high school, despite her academic and artistic abilities. She wanted to become an art teacher, but felt, due to her parents' expectations and their low income, that was not an option. When I met her as a junior she had decided instead to become a tattoo artist through an apprenticeship. Over time, with encouragement and information, she saw the value in pursuing a post-secondary education. Now her goal is to attend a community college to earn a two year transfer degree and to then continue at a 4 year institution for art education.