We’ve selected 10 awesome first-year college students who beat the odds to become the first in their family to attend college as winners of the 2014 I’m First Scholarship. Scholarship winners receive a $1,000 four-year, renewable award and blog here to chronicle their college experiences and give advice to younger students about making it to college. 

 

 2014 I’m First Bloggers 

Adriana Gonzalez

Hometown: Waukegan, IL

College/University: Pomona College

Benjamin Hoertnagl –Pereira

Hometown: Water Mill, NY

College/University: Johns Hopkins University

Danica Drezner

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

College/University: Boston University

Gabriel Reyes

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

College/University: Brown University

 Gina Bolanos

Hometown: Dallas, TX

College/University: University of Rochester

Kendell Holmes

Hometown: Winslow, AZ

College/University: Northern Arizona University

 

Luis Epsino

Hometown: Napa, CA

College/University: Pomona College

Steven Shi

Hometown: Grove City, PA

College/University: Brown University

Tyneisha Richardson

Hometown: Hollister, NC

College/University: Meredith College

Xavier Husser

Hometown: New York, NY

College/University: Boston College

 

In addition to following the blog, students and their supporters can sign up for the I’m First Dashboard to begin preparing for college and searching colleges and universities committed to supporting first-generation college students on their campuses. Once signed up, students will have the opportunity to apply for the I’m First Scholarship at the end of their senior year for the chance to become part of the blog! To keep up with the new bloggers and the 24 previous winners still in college, please check back regularly!