Yohan Garcia’s life did not get off to a promising beginning. Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, he was unable to complete high school because of family financial problems and, by his own account, a lack of motivation. Determined to resume his education and make something of himself, he immigrated to New York. He was 15 and, more than anything else, he dreamed of someday becoming a pilot.
Today, at 21, Garcia is a first-year business major at BMCC and one of 11 recipients—including two others from BMCC—of the 2009 Peter Jennings Scholarship Laurel Award. The award, which carries a $1,500 stipend, recognizes outstanding CUNY students who have earned a General Equivalency Diploma through a special CUNY program. It is named for the celebrated ABC News anchor—himself a high school dropout who never earned a college degree. Jennings died in 2005.
The rewards of recognition
“The scholarship will ease some of the pressure to take on extra jobs and let me concentrate more on my studies,” says Garcia, who worked as much as 50 hours a week while attending GED classes at Lehman College. “But more important than the money is the knowledge that my hard work has been recognized.”
After receiving his GED, Garcia participated in the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) as well as the CUNY Transition to College Program. “Before CLIP, I don’t think I’d ever read a book from beginning to end,” he says. “As part of that program I read many books. It was a great learning environment.” He subsequently passed all CUNY assessment tests and began his studies at BMCC this past spring, holding down two part-time jobs while taking a full course load at BMCC.
“It wasn’t an easy semester,” says Garcia, whose father died in the middle of the term. “It was hard for me to keep going, pretending that nothing had happened to my life. “But shortly before his death, I’d promised my dad that I would make him proud. I feel that, with this scholarship, I’ve kept my promise to him.” Garcia attended the scholarship presentation ceremony with his mother. “Whatever I have accomplished, it’s been because of my parents and the advice, support and love they gave me,” he says.
A dream fulfilled
“Ever since I was a child, I always dreamed of winning a scholarship,” Garcia adds. “While I’ve always managed to earn diplomas and certificates of academic excellence, this was my first scholarship.”
Garcia hopes to fulfill another lifelong dream by someday enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and training to be a pilot. “Although I was born in Mexico, I’ve lived more than a third of my life in the U.S. and have fallen in love with America,” he says. “This country has helped me enormously, so I want to give something back. My dream has always been to be a pilot and a military officer and I won’t stop till I get there.”
