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Happy Holidays

Each holiday season, we highlight one of the many inspiring stories from our past students who have participated in the Stay 4 Project. This is Jose's story.

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Jose has been facing challenges since the very beginning of his life. At birth, he weighed just over 1 pound, which led to numerous breathing issues and the use of a feeding tube until 5th grade. Much of Jose's time was spent in a children's hospital in Chicago. To this day, Jose battles ongoing health issues. Despite those challenges, Jose has shown a passion and determination to continue his education through to college.

Jose's counselor nominated him for the Stay 4 Project. He attended the Stay 4 Successful Student Seminar at ISU where he was impacted by the speakers and students who formerly were in the program. 

"I realized then that all of these people and these students have had their own struggles just like me, and they have found the courage to overcome them! It was very moving and motivational.

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Being a strong A/B student, Jose was able to secure scholarships and financial aid to attend college. He was accepted in the Honor's Program at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota- one of the leading Liberal Arts and Sciences colleges in the country.

"The Stay 4 grant provided a computer for me. It was invaluable in having a reliable laptop to do my school work. I'm so grateful for the support and motivation they have given me over the years. That encouragement meant everything. Having faced health challenges all my life, I want to work in an area that will allow me to help other facing those challenges overcome them and be successful. 

Stay 4 has helped set me on the path to reach that goal!"

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