2020 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients
The 2020 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients Thank You Video can be viewed here.
In our third year of “The Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Program”, we received yet another extremely impressive 2020 pool of applicants, The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation decided to once again step outside of our “scope” by awarding Three (3) $2,000 Scholarships, and Three (3) Recognition Scholarships in the amount $500 to six outstanding graduating high school students who have lost a parent to colon cancer.
The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is extremely proud to announce that this year’s 2020 WunderGlo Scholarships have been awarded to six outstanding students from Pebble Beach, CA, Shreveport, Louisiana, Irvine, CA, Cochran, Georgia, Redondo Beach, CA, and Greensboro, North Carolina.
Our scholarship recipients are five young women, and one young man who will be attending: Temple University, Louisiana Tech University, The University of California- Davis, The University of North Georgia, The University of California- Irvine, and The University of Southern California.
The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarships enhance the lives of young men & women across America’s heartland. We hope that they will always remember that The WunderGlo Foundation remembers them. These are “The Children of WunderGlo”.
Male Student– 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
2020 Male Student is an exemplary young man who lost his mother to colon cancer when he was four years old. He will attend The University of Southern California.
“I want to thank you so much for the generosity you have displayed by granting me the scholarship fund to help me pursue my educational and career goals. My current ambition for the future is to bring online education to Chinese orphanages, specifically for children with autism or learning disabilities. Educating them on personal finance and high-income skills are important to me because I believe orphans like me should have an opportunity to be successful no matter our circumstances. Years of suffering taught me to value myself, to work to reach my dreams, and to empathize with others who face their own life struggles. Words can’t express my gratitude for obtaining this scholarship as it will take me very far in life. Again, thank you so much for extending my opportunities so that I can continue the enrichment and expansion of quality education.” – 2020 Male Student – Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations! The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is certain of the greatness that you will bring to this world and we are so very proud of you. We wish you all the best at USC. You already have and will only continue to bring betterment and change young lives everywhere.
Leighanna Austin Perez– 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Austin Perez is an outstanding young lady whose mother passed away from colon cancer when she was 15 years old. Austin is attending The University of North Georgia.
“I would love to see cancer end one day for every type, but until someone finds a cure, I want to be able to help the people during this difficult time in their lives. I am extremely proud to know that The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is supportive of me in this respect. With this scholarship, I will be able to make an important step toward paying for college, fulfilling my goal of becoming a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner, providing a positive influence on the world around me, and spending my life in the service of others.” – Leighanna Austin Perez
Congratulations, Austin! You are a focused and determined young lady who will succeed at everything to seek to achieve in life. All of us at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation are extremely proud of you. We wish you the very best wishes at The University of North Georgia.
Anastasia Vladimirovna Poponina– 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Anastasia Poponina is a dedicated young lady who lost her father to colon cancer when she was 13-years old. Anastasia will attend The University of California, Irvine.
“It is such an honor to be awarded this scholarship and be given the opportunity to pursue my dreams. It has always been my dream to be a clinical psychologist so I can further the world’s understanding of mental health and help people that are struggling with their mental health. – When my father died of cancer, not only did I lose someone close to me, but my life was also changed in a myriad of other ways. My father was the main provider in my family and without him we greatly struggled financially. I initially thought I had to work in order to support my mom instead of going to college. – To me, continuing my education is a way of honoring my father because it’s what he would have wanted for me and what he worked for when he was alive. He would always give me math and science books and explain the concepts the books were about to me. He instilled values of education, curiosity, and research in me and I intend to keep those values alive as I pursue my college degree.” – Anastasia Poponina
Congratulations, Anastasia! Your steadfast dedication to your education in honor of your father is deeply meaningful. The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is proud to honor such a deserving young woman. We wish you the very best at The University of California, Irvine. Success is yours! Please watch her individual scholarship thank you video here.
Na-Kee Za’Kiya Wells – 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Na-Kee Wells is an inspirational young lady who lost her father to colon cancer when she was 17-years old. Na-Kee will be attending Louisiana Tech University.
“I have realized that inevitable things will happen in life and all there is to do is pray and trust in God. To honor my father and many other proud, hardworking veterans, I volunteer at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. I plan on going to college to become an anesthesiologist and I also want to find a cure for cancer. Sometimes it feels like it cannot be done, but I believe it can and it will. Thank you to The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation for selecting me to receive the “Recognition Award” Scholarship. I am very thankful for this award. Thank you for believing in me. ”- Na-Kee Wells
Congratulations, Na-Kee! You inspire everyone around you. Please know that your father, your family, your teachers, and all of us at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation are so honored to play even a small role in your amazing life. We wish you every happiness and success at Louisiana Tech University. Your heart and determination most definitely will help you to make your mark in this world. Please watch her individual scholarship thank you video here.
Marissa Danielle Vrshek – 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Marissa Vrshek is an exceptional young lady whose father passed away from colon cancer when she was 10- years old. Marissa will attend The University of California, Davis.
“I am beyond honored to receive The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship. My dad always wore a brave face for my brother and I until he passed in December 2012. His death was sudden and a shock to my entire family. Growing up without him by my side was the hardest thing I have had to endure, but I know he has been with me in spirit every step of the way. He taught me the importance of persevering in the face of adversity and always putting forth my best effort. I am so grateful The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation cares for children like me who have had to overcome the grief and countless challenges that accompany losing a parent at such a young age. I am privileged to have the WunderGlo Foundation support me in my pursuit of an advanced degree.”- Marissa Vrshek
Congratulations, Marissa! You are a lovely young lady whose perseverance in life will only lead to greatness. Your father has absolutely been with you every step of the way throughout your life and you always make him and your family proud. The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is honored to have selected you and we wish you only happiness and success at The University of California, Davis. There is no doubt about the heights you will achieve in your life. Please watch her individual scholarship thank you video here.
Alyssa Michelle Cross– 2020 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Alyssa Cross is a compassionate young lady who lost her father to colon cancer when she was 13-years old. Alyssa will attend Temple University.
“I would like to say thank you to The WunderGlo Foundation for offering me financial support and making attending college more accessible. I lost my dad to colon cancer when I was thirteen and to know that there are others that recognize the importance of secondary education and aim to make it less financially stressful for those that have gone through loss means a great deal. After my father’s passing, I knew I wanted to do anything in my power to ensure others did not have to feel the pain of losing a loved one to cancer. This taught me to learn to appreciate organizations—like The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation—that bring awareness to ways to end cancer and stop pain cancer patients and their families endure. It also helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a career that allows me to help others and ease any pain others may have. With these interests in mind, I discovered the field of Psychology—which I have decided to further my education and study this subject in college. Thank you again to The WunderGlo Foundation, I appreciate all you have done for my family and I.”– Alyssa Cross
Congratulations, Alyssa! You are a role model to those around you and everyone at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is extremely proud of you. We wish you all the best at Temple University. The Owls are sincerely lucky to have you! Please watch her individual scholarship thank you video here.
We Congratulate all our 2020 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients!!!