Award Recipients
Check out profiles of fellow Georgians and their first-hand accounts of how they have benefitted from the financial aid programs GSFC administers to further their postsecondary education and their future.
If you would like to share your story, fill out this webform or e-mail mkester@gsfc.org.
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Name: Anh Ngoc “Tommy” Doan
High School: Trinity Christian School (Statesboro)
College (Current or Future): Georgia Southern University
Major/Intended Major: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Financial Aid Program: Zell Miller Scholarship, Dual Enrollment
The COVID pandemic has reinforced the need for nurses and medical support staff. One of Georgia’s top scholars is using State Aid Programs to learn how he can serve.
“As a child, I always wanted to do something medical as a career,” said Anh Ngoc “Tommy” Doan. “While in high school, my teachers got me interested in a science-based career (and) my sister, Jenny, becoming a nurse reinforced my aspirations.”
Doan is looking forward to “the people I’ll meet” when he starts at Georgia Southern in the fall, taking advantage of the Zell Miller Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
“I worked hard for it,” said Doan, who was this year’s graduating valedictorian at Trinity Christian School in Statesboro. “It will save my family money on college tuition.”
Doan also saved on college tuition with Dual Enrollment, taking courses at Truett McConnell University and Point University while still in high school.
“My teachers said it was a good opportunity to do college course work without having to pay for it,” said Doan, “(and) getting exposure to college was helpful.”
“The (college courses) were harder than my high school classes; but will have me better prepared and also gave my GPA a slight boost.”
Doan boosted the Trinity Christian Math Team for two years, staying humble while solving puzzles. But taking part in school plays and standing on stage should serve him on the GSU campus.
“I believe performing plays,” said Doan, “has made me become less introverted and more confident.”
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Name: Myla Williams
High School: Carver Early College (Atlanta Public Schools)
College (Current or Future): Georgia State University
Major/Intended Major: Law
Financial Aid Program: REACH Georgia, Dual Enrollment, Zell Miller Scholarship
From an early age, Myla Williams was certain of her future.
“I’ve always known I was going to go to school to become a lawyer,” said Williams, a graduate from Atlanta Public Schools. “I knew I was going to go to college since the third grade, but once I got into middle school and started looked at how much college costs, I knew my family and I couldn’t come out of pocket for this.”
Luckily for Williams, the REACH Georgia program has been involved in her education since middle school. A need-based scholarship program, REACH also provides promising students with mentors and academic coaches to ensure scholars succeed.
“I was very close with (Atlanta Public Schools' College and Career Readiness Coordinator) Dr. (Kenya) Gilliard,” said Williams. "She used to always come up to my school and check on all the REACH scholars. When I couldn’t get into contact with someone, she was always one call away.
"The biggest help was always knowing there was someone who had my back. If I wasn’t a REACH Scholar, I probably would not have been able to make that connection.”
Williams connected and currently attends Georgia State University (GSU) as a Zell Miller Scholarship winner.
“It has definitely taken away the stress of worrying about paying for school,” said Williams, who entered as a sophomore thanks to credits earned in high school through Dual Enrollment. “I don’t have to come out of pocket for anything. It allows me to focus on school because all my finances are covered.”
All her focus isn’t just on school. Williams reciprocates the assistance she received by serving in GSU’s Panther Elite mentorship program. She also sits on the GSU Student Services Committee and volunteers with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation as a legal assistant.
“If I had to work, I wouldn’t be as involved. During the times when I would be working, I’m able to volunteer, build connections and attend office hours,” said Williams. “Having a flexible schedule and getting that extra help has definitely helped me succeed and is a privilege I take advantage of.”
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Name: Blakelyn Larkin
High School: Madison County High School
College (Current or Future): Athens Technical College
Major/Intended Major: Deaf Education
Financial Aid Program: HOPE Grant
On the surface, the early years of Blakelyn Larkin are like anyone else.
“I enjoyed life and loved to be around people,” said Larkin, who was nominated by Athens Technical College (ATC) for the 2020 Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) student of the year. “I was a big tomboy growing up with three brothers too. I had a great childhood.”
But that happy surface was covering a secret that is hard for some to listen to.
“I grew up wearing hearing aids,” said Larkin, “and not knowing any sign language.”
The Hearing Loss Association of America says people with hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help. Larkin waited 20 years before she was introduced to another person with an issue an estimated 1 in 5 teens experience.
“They helped me to learn sign language and help me accept my identity of being a Hard-of-Hearing woman,” said Larkin about discovering her self-described ‘Deaf Culture’. “I think it’s important for deaf children to know their language and their everyday struggles in a Hearing world.”
Since graduating from Madison County High School, Larkin’s dream of becoming a deaf educator has been funded by her taking advantage of three different programs under Georgia’s HOPE Grant while at ATC.
“I enjoy being with kids and watching them grow in knowledge,” said Larkin, who taught a free sign language class and had over 20 ATC students attending her weekly sessions.
President of ATC’s Early Childhood Care Education club, Larkin’s academic growth can be charted by the grant programs. She started with the HOPE Grant and the HOPE Career Grant, but will finish with the Zell Miller Grant, eligible only to those with a minimum 3.5 postsecondary GPA.
“The best thing is that I saved money and I don’t have to be so stressful about getting through college,” said Larkin, who was named ATC’s GOAL student last January. “I plan to graduate in the spring with my associate degree (in Early Childhood Care and Education) and then finish my two years at Piedmont College.
“Once I finish, I will become certified to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing children.”
A dream achieved with minimal college debt, eliminating the fear of future financial concerns brewing under the surface.
Watch Blakelyn's video on correct ways of communicating with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people.