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Our Opinion: Food trucks can steer more pedestrian traffic to city streets

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Letter to the Editor: Fine Arts Fiesta succeeds because of dedicated directors and generous supporters

<p>When Wilkes University holds its third Founders Gala on Saturday, most people in the community will see it as just another fundraising event. For a college student like me, it&#8217;s an event that helped to change my life.</p><p>When I entered Wilkes University as a freshman in 2014, I soon realized that I had experienced a lot of things that most of my classmates had never known. My classmates did not understand what it is like to work 30 hours a week while in high school to help your parents, so they do not fail financially. Most people do not understand what it is like to be 16 and stay up all night wondering what bill has to be paid next, or if my parents can afford food this week.</p><p>During my high school years, all of this led to constant stress and worry. Thoughts lingered in my head. What comes next? Is anything going to go right for me? I wanted to focus on my goal of attending college and improving my position. Over the years, people told me that I was setting goals that I could not reach. I remember thinking that maybe what those people said was right. Maybe it was impossible for someone in my economic position to make it.</p><p>Then I received a call from the president at Wilkes University, Dr. Patrick Leahy. He informed me that I had received the First Generation Scholarship. Seeing the emotion from both of my parents was something I cannot forget. When I heard the words, &#8220;You are going to college,&#8221; we finally felt it was possible to achieve the goal we had been hoping for: a successful future.</p><p>I realize that my success is my family&#8217;s success. Though my family struggled financially, my parents supported me in other ways. My parents, for example, have yet to miss a sporting event when I am playing. In addition to my parents, I am blessed with a sister who cares about me just as much as my parents do. No amount of money can replace these things. It was because of their support and love that I was able to keep my life on track</p><p>Now I&#8217;m halfway through my college career, and I have decided to change my career path from nursing to environmental engineering. I still work a job while attending school, but the scholarship support has taken away much of the day-to-day pressure. Wilkes University has provided me with all of the resources to make the correct decision for my future.</p><p>Having finished my second year of college, I also see the Founders Gala and my scholarship differently. This scholarship has sparked a drive in me. My goal is to participate in the scholarship fund by sharing my story with donors, and eventually becoming a donor myself. I believe my gratitude will become stronger as I grow older. It is something that has had such a life-changing impact on me, and I want to make that same impact on another student&#8217;s life.</p><p>A year ago, I was asked to share my experience as a first-generation student at the Founders Gala, the event that Wilkes holds to raise money for the First Generation scholarships. I thanked every donor there. It was an honor to be able to tell them how much the opportunity to attend college &#8211; an opportunity they made possible &#8211; meant to me and my family. When I stepped away from the podium, I was honored to receive a standing ovation. It was the most humbling experience. As I absorbed all the feelings I was experiencing, it sent chills down my spine.</p><p>Too many people think college is a given, and I want to be sure people know that it&#8217;s not something that a student like me takes for granted. As the value of supporting higher education is debated, I want people to understand that helping students achieve their dreams is always a good investment.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Kyle McHale</p><p>Guest columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Kyle McHale, a Wilkes-Barre resident, is a junior at Wilkes University.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Kyle McHale: College aid from Wilkes University not something I take lightly