This summer, we celebrate 8 recent graduates who received the Holland/Zeeland Promise Scholarship. To date, the Promise boasts a 95% graduation rate in comparison to a national average graduation rate of 63% (National Student Clearinghouse). The grads shared about their future plans and inspirational quotes that motivated them on their journey to achieve their degrees.
The Promise Graduates
Ivonne Alvarez
Grand Valley State University / Applied Health Sciences
“Failure is success in progress” – Albert Einstein
Future plans: Ivonne is currently working at Spectrum Health Hospital and plans to continue her education and become a pathologist assistant.
Ivonne says, “The Promise scholarship gave me the mindset that I am able to achieve anything through hard work and dedication, and I am incredibly thankful!”
Lydia Boerman
Grand Valley State University / Biomedical Sciences
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you’ll know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go!” – Dr. Seuss
Future plans: Lydia will be returning to school in the near future to complete a degree in nursing. She is currently working at Holland Hospital as a patient care tech, volunteering at a local clinic, and preparing to go back to school.
Lydia says, “I realize that I would not be where I am now without the Promise scholarship, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the donors and the staff at CFHZ for helping me succeed!”
Diana Cardenas
Hope College / Public Accounting
“Life is like walking, you take one step at a time” – Taylor Swift
Future plans: Diana is currently working on her CPA license. Her goal is to pass the CPA exams before she begins a full-time job at Crowe in their audit department this October.
Diana says, “None of this would have been possible without the support of CFHZ and the Promise Scholarship. I hope to continue learning and building on my skills and use them to build-up my community.”
Micah Cuevas
Michigan State University /Agricultural Business Management
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Future plans: For now, Micah’s plans include celebrating the success of completing college and also hoping to relocate back to the West Michigan area. She will continue to keep an open mind and an open ear for new opportunities with a company that aligns with her values and professional development goals.
Jaden Grigg
Hope College / Exercise Science
“Success is never final, failure is never fatal.” – John Wooden
Future plans: Jaden plans to teach and coach baseball at Holland Public Schools.
Isaac Lopez
Cornerstone University/Biblical Studies and Inter-Cultural Studies
Future plans: Issac will continue building a nonprofit ministry career through his current job at Escape Ministries. He is also pursuing a Master of Social Work in the Fall of 2023 to become a licensed counselor. He dreams of opening a nonprofit counseling center in the future that offers affordable mental health counseling for those in the urban community.
Isaac says, “I am loving my current job – I am growing as a young professional and developing new relationships in the Holland/Zeeland community. Furthermore, I am thankful for the opportunity to pour into a great community of kids at Escape Ministries and both my current job and time in college have confirmed that my passion is to work in the nonprofit ministry space!”
Alexia McColl
Kalamazoo College / Psychology
“You can be anything you want to be, just turn yourself into anything you think you could ever be.” – Freddie Mercury
Future plans: Alexia plans on attending law school to study criminal law. She will continue studying for the LSAT and begin applying to law schools this upcoming fall. She is also interning at a local law office, Weise Law, and volunteering with local animal rescues.
Alexia says, “I am forever grateful for the guidance and help I received these last 4 years. I am thankful for the donors and community partners who built such a supportive and welcoming community. It is an honor to be a part of the Promise community. I will definitely stay engaged and help future scholars with similar career interests as well as giving back to this community that gave me so much!”
Truc Tran
Grand Valley State University / Nursing
“Tough times never last, tough people do.” – Robert Schuller
Future plans: Truc will be working as night shift nurse at Holland Hospital in the Spine & Ortho department. She also plans on going to graduate school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in a couple of years.