Announcing 2015 I'm First! Scholarship Winners

by I'm First Administrator | September 10, 2015

We’ve selected 9 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.

2015 I’m First! Bloggers 

Abraham Vincuna

Hometown: Houston, TX

College/University: University of Houston

Andrea Haerther

Hometown: Alamo, TX

College/University: University of Houston

Dave Lacroix

Hometown: Westbury, NY

College/University: Dartmouth College

Lazarus Valenzuela 

Hometown: Riverside, CA

College/University: Occidental College

Megan Cooke

Hometown: Window Rock, AZ

College/University: Whitman College

Padah Vang

Hometown: St. Paul, MN

College/University: Colorado College

Raquel Diaz

Hometown: Monterey Park, CA

College/University: Reed College

Rolando Perez

Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, CA

College/University: Pitzer College

Santiago Montoya

Hometown: Jackson Heights, NY

College/University: Brandeis University

In addition to following the blog, students and their supporters can sign up for the ImFirst.org 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!