The recipient of the $1,000 Minnesota TRiO Paul and Sheila Wellstone Memorial Scholarship is Kenneth Medina. Kenneth is very involved in his school and community. Since birth, Kenneth has battled Cerebral Palsy, which prevented his legs growing correctly. Kenneth also was in a household with a drug-addicted parent, which soon led to him living on his own. This forced him to work double shifts to get by. With Kenneth’s determination and the support of the St. Olaf TRiO Student Support Services program, he is currently a junior at St. Olaf College and majoring in Music Education. He says, “The TRiO Student Support Services program has provided me a wonderful support group. They really helped me readjust to the academic lifestyle after three years of being out of school and also helped me develop enduring friendships.”

The recipient of the Minnesota TRiO Bruce Vento Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 goes to Awale Osman. Awale is a senior at Park Center Senior High in Brooklyn Park and a participant in the TRiO Upward Bound program at Anoka Ramsey Community College. Awale states that his participation in TRiO Upward Bound has challenged him to step out of his comfort zone in order to do greater things. “Before TRiO Upward Bound, I was frustrated with my homework, because there was no one at home to help me. My grades, confidence, and performance in class were boosted as a result of Upward Bound.” Awale Osman will be attending Winona State University next year to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Teaching Communicative Arts and Literature. He hopes to continue on to pursue a Ph.D. in Education and become a school superintendent.

Mahal Burr-McNeal is a participant in the TRiO Student Support Services program at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. She is the recipient of the $1,000 Minnesota TRiO Ron McKinley Scholarship. She states that TRIO SSS has encouraged her to thrive as a person. Mahal’s path towards accepting her dyslexia was not easy. Her SSS advisor helped her embrace her dyslexia and she became passionate about helping other students with disabilities. TRiO encouraged her to ask for help when it was needed and assisted her in setting personal and academic goals. Mahal states, “I relied on TRiO’s support and encouragement and at no point was I let down.” Mahal is currently at Carleton College, majoring in Political Science.