The girl I'm mentoring, Dennise, loves surprising me with good news. Today she said she won two more scholarships, bringing the total to 19. She's not done. Scholarship award letters will be mailed through August 2021.

With renewable scholarships and work-study jobs, her bachelor degree will be paid for. She won't have to get loans.

Wearing masks, we met at her parent's kitchen table on Saturday mornings beginning last September. With my help, Dennise applied for 42 scholarships and four universities. Now that we're all vaccinated, it's nice to see everyone's beautiful face and smiles.

"I have another surprise for you," Dennise said. "I'm a valedictorian! Actually, my senior class has 14 valedictorians with a 4.0 grade point average. Only two of us are Hispanic. The majority have professional parents like doctors and lawyers." Dennise's parents are Mexican immigrants who speak Spanish and very little English.

"This tells me that with hard work and determination, I can succeed in anything I do," Dennise said. She's right. Dennise is the first person in her family to graduate from high school and go to college.

In September, Dennise will start at the prestigious University of Washington. She will major in applied math and music (viola and percussion instruments).

"Last December when I applied to University of Washington, I didn't realize I could apply for the Honors program, too," she said. "I can apply for the Honors program as a sophomore."

The University of Washington requires all students to be COVID-19 vaccinated by September. Excellent.

Dennis made this embroidery for me. I will treasure it. "It's the least I could do to show my appreciation for all of your help," Dennise said.

So proud of this girl!