I am sincerely grateful to Kathryn Davis for giving me the opportunity to work with such wonderful people and go to school for free. It was wonderful meeting her on the several occasions that I did. Being a Kathryn Davis scholar allowed me to really explore my true passions. The documentary my group members and I directed has shed alot of light upon my future. It opened my eyes to a potential career in drug counceling. I can watch it over and over and never get bored. I plan to take this documentary further within rehabilitation centers, and various other organizations.

I would like to thank Lori Maida and Kent Trickel, without your inspiration my group would not have been as successful. You pushed all of us to become more professional and efficient in the work we produced. I learned great lessons that I will take with me to my four year college. Thank you for showing me how much potential I have and helping me become a stronger person who can now work under pressure.

PS- Thank You Dr. Maida for all the great Barbeque memories. I Love You

Sincerely,

Stephanie Coyle

I would like to thank Mrs. Davis and the WCC scholarship office who founded this wonderful program that not only helped me with my tuition, but also opened my mind about global immigration, and helped other people through our community service projects. Our group was lucky to meet Ed Ballen, and it was a great opportunity to work with him. He has a big heart and helps others with his nobility. His actions made me realize that we can really help others, and make a difference, even though it may not be easy. We recognized the problem about “aged-out orphans”, which we had never known about before. Now I am looking back to my country, trying to find out more about how we handle aged-out orphans, and will try to find a way to help them.

I’d like to thank Jason and Glenda who worked on our group’s project to reach our goals. I would also like to sincerely thank the professors who dedicated their time and helpful presentations, and specifically Professor Maida and Professor Trickle. These wonderful individuals pushed us to reach our goals from the struggling beginning through to the fruitful end.

-Achara Passabut

This year has been a reality altering experience. I saw wonderful presentations which changed the way I see the world. I met the most wonderful people. We’ve made a difference in each others lives, and the lives of others. It was an honor and a pleasure to have participated in the Kathryn W. Davis Global Scholars program. This past year has presented us with unique opportunities to grow and learn. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for a better group to work with. Meredith and Charlene were the most amazing partners ever. Everything we did was a group effort, it made all the difference. We were able to work on an issue that affects us all. World hunger and water scarcity are challenges that we can rise to meet. Coming from Mexico, this particular issue was of interest to me, because I nearly died due to the poor quality of water. Mexico does not have the dramatic problem of having a perpetual water shortage, but it does have poor water treatment plants, which can lead to infants dying due to contaminated water. I was too young to remember my near death experience, but my mother tells me I wouldn’t want to remember it anyway. Having worked on this particular project has given me a sense of fulfillment that is unparallel. Hunger has also been a topic of great importance to me; because I feel that world peace cannot be achieved on an empty stomach. Having partaken in the 30hour famine, I was given a glimpse into what other around the world experience every day. I realized however that unlike many who suffer hunger, I actually had a choice to stop, and eat something. It was an enlightening experience. We also collected food and raised money to feed the poor in Haiti. It was a rewarding mission; I would gladly do it again. We walked for hunger in Philadelphia, where we saw the compassion that others had, we are not the only ones, there are others who want to make a difference. I find that I feel quite sad that the project ended, because I won’t see many of the group members next semester, but I know that wherever we all go we will always set an example for others to follow, and that fills my heart with so much happiness. I was impressed by everyone in the Kathryn W. Davis Global Scholars program; I wish that sometime in the future our paths cross again. Through this program I was able to see how wonderful, and how successful, a group can be. The skills and knowledge that I have acquired here will make me a better human being, more compassionate, more understanding, more knowledgeable and more hopeful. This group and all the others that will come after it are a reflection of the future, and the future look very bright from where I stand.

-Carlos Ariza

This last year has been a great experience for me. I have had the pleasure to meet many wonderful people and work on a very worthy cause. I would really like to thank Dr. Maida and Prof. Trickel for all their help throughout the year. When I first started the program I really had no idea what to expect. Without Fidelma, and Sehyun I don't think anything would have gotten done in my group, and I am truly grateful to have worked with them. To be honest with you, prior to this program the only thing that I really had was good intentions. The Kathryn W. Davis Global Scholars program gave me the opportunity to turn those good intentions into good deeds. Learning about Autism, and meeting with various professionals in the field has changed my perspective on many things. After visiting Eastchester Junior High School to observe Autistic children in a classroom environment, I realized that the one thing everyone deserves in life is a fair chance.

-Edward Han

I would like to thank all the members of the Kathryn W.Davis Global Community Program for all your help, support, and for the great experience and opportunity that they brougth to our lives. Overall, our community service project made a very positive impact in my life.For the coming semesters, I might be worthwhile to consider to reduce the numbers of presentations during the Fall semester and use that time for more hands-on work. Nevertheless, the presentations during the Fall semester went well.

-Jhonatan Matos

Personal Narratives

The scholars were asked to write personal narratives about their experiences with the program. Here are some of their narratives.

The Kathryn W. Davis Global Scholars program was one of the best honors I have ever had. I was thrilled imaging to work with WCC’s most outstanding students at the beginning of this program. Then, however, I hit the wall understanding what the community service really is because it is unfamiliar concept for me. The topic for our group – helping immigrants – came up naturally because I personally experienced its necessity as an immigrant who has no relatives, in other words, quite lack of help to do anything in the U.S. But how could we work with this issue? I felt frustration for thinking what are we able to do and what could be really helpful for immigrants. Fortunately, Prof. Meida and Trickel had introduced us Neighbor’s Link during our business meeting which we worked together. I believe our activity helped immigrants and Neighbor’s Link a bit. I am proud of our achievement and working with such a great team. Lastly, I sincerely appreciate Mrs. Kathryn Davis, Professor Meida, Professor Trickel, the Westchester Community College Foundation, and every individual who gave me such a wonderful opportunity which was loaded with lessons.

-Junko Takano

I am grateful to the scholarship foundation for chosing me to be one of the twenty one students to receive the very prestigous Catherine W. Davis Global Community Scholarship. To be among such ambitious students was such an honor. Listening to their dreams for the future was indeed inspiring and made me realize mine even more. My only regret is that it is over!!! First, let me thank Mrs. Davis for her generous contribution to my education. Because of it, I was able to work less, spend a lot more quality time with my precious two and a half year son, Gerard, and devote more time to studying. My grades, this past year, are proof of the latter. Balancing work, family and school can be challenging, but because of this scholarship, I became financially more stable. I have always felt as if my father (who died of cancer at the early age of fifty three) is watching over like a guardian angel. The last two semesters, I felt as if I had a "live" guardian angel in Mrs. Davis. Second, we were fortunate to have Dr. Maida and Prof. Trickel as excellant and capable directors of the program. They were able to "right" any "wrong that cropped up throughout the year. For this, I am eternally grateful. Finally, thanks to Sandra Ramsey for persuading me to join the group (another angel!!!)

Being a member of this selective group allowed me to realize what it truly means to be "global." Each week we attended a meeting where we listened to various speakers who presented their views on globalization in regard to their respective areas. These presentations helped me realize how much of a community we are, not just as students of a particular college, or citizens of the United States, but as human beings sharing one world. In addition to such a wonderful learning opportunity, I participated in a community service project with Sheyhun, and Eddie. I couldn't have asked for better partners. We worked so well together and have become good friends. I ,sincerely, hope we maintain this friendship for many years to come. We chose autism as our topic of interest. This was an extremely valuable learning experience in making me realize the importance of temawork, how a group can share a common objective of raising awareness of this disorder and funds for research.We had the priveledge of working with Autism Speaks, as organization whose goal is to not only bring autism to everyone's attention, but to work towards funding biomedical research. On Sunday, June 8th, Eddie, Sheyhun and I are participating in the Walk Now For Autism event in Westchester, continuing our volunteer work with Autism Speaks. This event raised 1.1 million dollars last year. I get emotional even thinking about this. I hope that we made a difference and will continue to make a difference in the future. Hopefully that alarming statistic of one in one hundred and fifty will become a "what was" instead of a "what is". We can find the pieces that fit together.

The whole experience has left a lasting impression on me. It is sad to have to say goodbye to everyone but let me take this opportunity to wish my fellow students the best of luck as you all work hard to be the future educators of this wonderful country. America ,truly, is the land of opportunity. If you works hard, you can reap the rewards. All you have to do is dream!!! I am certainly living my dream and am the happiest I've ever in my life. I can't wait to see what is aroud the corner. This program has been a part of my success and will stay with me for a long time. It has been responsilble for making my future plans even more of a reality. I am forvever grateful to the foundation.

Oh, one last thought, I will never forget the image Prof. Trickel left in my brain to help me overcome my fear of public speaking (ha ha ha ha). It definitely worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you.

-Fidelma Troy

I would first like to thank the Foundation and its members for choosing me to be a part of the Kathryn W. Davis Global Community Scholars. I would to thank the directors for their help and a special thanks to Dr. Maida for being there when I needed a listening ear. Most importantly, I would like to thank Mrs. Davis for her financial investment into my education it was truly appreciated. The Kathryn W. Davis Global Community has left lasting impression on me. I was impressed by the topics that were addressed by each group. I even happier that my group choose to work on a project that I can identify with; poverty among immigrants. It is no secret that many of them came to improve their lives and that of their loved ones. Nonetheless, for some that dream is yet to be realized. Their inability to speak English, as well as their lack of education seems to derail their plans. Teaching English to Spanish speaking immigrants which was what my group did, can significantly improve the lifestyle of these immigrants. My only regret is; I wish I was able to do and contribute a lot more to this project. I wish I had made enough money from fundraising that I would have donated to the foundation towards a scholarship for immigrants who are not able to afford tuition. I know how daunting this can be. Although I am little disappointed, I vow to continue helping other immigrants improve their lives in whatever way I can. Lastly, I would like to wish my other group members and all the other students who were a part of this program all the best. I hope the directors will consider having a reunion so we get to see each other again.

-Clover Morrison

This past school year has really been a year to remember. The Kathryn W. Davis Global Scholars program has been one of the best opportunities I have ever been given. I was able to work on a major global issue of my choice, which was, global hunger and dehydration. This topic has always been close to my heart since I have seen how people suffer from hunger. Over the past several years, I have volunteered at soup kitchens, walks for hunger, and other organizations to help people who are less fortunate. Being able to do this project allowed me to do more research and put more effort into a major issue that I felt morally compelled to. I think that the two most moving parts of the project were the 30-hour famine and the walk for hunger in Philadelphia. The 30-hour famine really showed me how to appreciate what I have. I realized how wasteful my peers and I can be. Throwing away food without thinking twice about it is something many of us do. We may feel guilty sometimes, however we still do it too often. Being allowed only one bottle of water for the entire 30 hours was meant to represent how people have a limited access to water. Also, even people who have limited access to water may still have access to only contaminated water, but they really have no other choice. The walk for hunger in April was very touching. There was so much support and positive energy. It was really uplifting to see how many people came together. In the United States hunger is a major issue that is pushed aside far too often. It is consistently pushed aside so that it seems that it is “out of sight and out of mind.” At the walk, we saw several people that had experienced hunger first-hand and people who work hard to stop world hunger. Their stories were incredibly moving and I will never forget the experience. It can be depressing to think how such a basic needs for survival are not met in so many areas of the world. There are too many people who go to bed hungry each night and too many people who are forced to live in unsanitary conditions. There are plausible solutions to these problems, however there is not enough effort to put these solutions into effect. That is the only way the crisis can be solved. I truely appreciate the opportunity i have been given and i have been able to learn so much. Most importantly, i have been able to learn about several ways i can help in my own community. I think that this program is important because it has taught us all how to get involved and how we can really make an important effect on the world.

-Charleen Catalan

As this great opportunity comes to an end, I am surprised and more than ever proud the accomplishments of each group. When I became a member of this program I believed that any endeavor with the word global attached to it, included individuals traveling the globe. However, I quickly learned that there was a global community here on our college campus. In the months that followed we engaged this community and in the end we were able to create global awareness through our various community service projects. I have always desired to be a catalyst for change, and today I believe that I have received the opportunity to become an agent of hope, awareness, and change. This experience has given me so much hope and as I prepare to leave WCC I intend to embark on the next opportunity which will take me closer to my ultimate goal. I intend to serve my community and society by means of the Education and the practical application of Law. I also want to become a philanthropist who donates money and time to organizations and institutions geared toward the betterment of individuals. My future now looks bright and promising, and it is all because of my experience at WCC. It is imperative for me to thank the Westchester Community college Foundation and the Kathryn Davis Screening Committee for selecting me as one of the participants for this program. I want to also thank the architects and administrators who created this program, the Professor Lori Maida and Professor Kent Trickle who directed the program, LCSW Catherine McLaughlin for literally taking my group’s ideas and converting it into a successful service project, and Mrs. Kathryn W. Davis for her generosity in founding this program. It was truly an honor for our college to have the opportunity of being a part of your 101 projects for peace.

-Dane Kelly

2007-2008 Archives

Personal Narratives