A (Virtual) Event to Remember
This March, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars hosted the 8th Annual (Virtual) Celebration Luncheon. Guests tuned in to the livestreamed show to learn about new program features, hear alumni insight, and see what DRDFS has been doing this school year for students adjusting to a new learning environment.
The event kicked off with students in the Next Level Scholars (NLS) program thanking donors for their impactful support along their post-secondary journeys. Thanks to the support of all event sponsors, including Presenting Sponsors P.R. Ziegler, INC Life Insurance, Seyburn Kahn, and Wells Fargo, this event was a great success. Emcee Paul W. Smith appeared live in-studio to begin the show and guide viewers through the first all-virtual Celebration Luncheon.
Alumni Shares Story
Following the welcome message from Board President, William C. Young, an Alumni took the stage to share his DRDFS story. Sha Azim, 2019 graduate of Center Line High School and the NLS program, is currently enrolled at Wayne State University as a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in finance. In a conversation with Board Member Bill Kingsley, Sha discussed why his education was so important to him at an early age and how his experience with DRDFS enabled him to step confidently into life after high school.
During the interview, Sha shared the following; “My parents moved to the US from Bangladesh to give me better opportunities. That’s why I take my education so seriously and it’s my number one priority. In high school, I was always looking for opportunities to help me go to college. What sparked my interest most about DRDFS was the campus visits and SAT prep. After visiting Wayne State University on a trip with DRDFS, I knew that was the school I wanted to attend.”
Thanks to You
To close the program, Executive Director Christa Funk provided an update on how DRDFS is helping students prepare for success, especially during a time when so many are studying from home. Online SAT test prep, virtual campus tours, increased one-on-one college advising, and access to online tutoring, are just a few of the resources students have access to this school year. This is made possible in large part by those who tuned in and donated to the annual Celebration Luncheon. Thank you for continuing to support local students as they prepare for success in life after high school.
The 8th Annual Celebration Luncheon is available to view on YouTube. Click here to watch!
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.