“We both worked with Maria to find scholarships, said Moises. “We all spent our time looking at colleges and what options were best for her and for our family. I heard from Maria that she had been talking to her high school counselor about scholarship opportunities at UNCA. Once Maria told me about the Alumni Referral Scholarship, I also encouraged her to apply knowing that she had a chance at getting it since I graduated from UNCA.”
Now employed by Mathis Electronics, Moises earned his engineering degree at UNC Asheville, awarded jointly by NC State, following degrees at Asheville High School and A-B Tech. He balanced full-time classes with a full-time job, recalls the challenges and coordination of it all.
“My counselor was great. They helped me decide what classes to take so that I wouldn’t add another year to my educational career, and they were a great support system. I also liked how they can collaborate with other colleges to better a student’s education,” he said.
Maria has already registered for her first semester this fall, including a first-year seminar, Biology 134, Chemistry 111 and Chemistry 132, and she’s planning to learn a third language, so she added in French 120.
Her mom, Samadhar Escobedo, a pre-school teaching assistant at Asheville Catholic School, can already see how it will be a great experience.
“I knew that UNC Asheville would be the perfect place for her because Moises got his schooling there and it was close to home. Knowing what my daughter’s strengths and what her interests were, I thought that this school would give her a great education and help her grow as a person. She likes art but also science and since UNCA offers a variety of classes, I knew she would enjoy her time there,” she said.
Now, a year after she started the process, Maria has some insight for prospective students too.
“Do not procrastinate! I highly recommend to any and all upcoming seniors to be organized and on top of things. Having all the documents ready and the requirements done really pays off later in the year,” she said, while adding appreciation for the donors. “I just want to thank all the donors, staff, and people who made it possible for students like myself to attend college! These scholarships really impact my life and make a difference in the opportunities available to me.”
The 2021 incoming class is the first to be eligible for UNC Asheville’s Alumni Referral Scholarship, which offers a renewable award of $1,000 each year. Students must be nominated by an alumnus/a of UNC Asheville. To learn more and to make a nomination, visit the Alumni Referral Scholarship website.
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