LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Through tears and cheers, a handful of Jefferson County Public Schools seniors got the surprise of a lifetime.
"I'm always going to remember this moment," Erika Infante said after Superintendent Marty Pollio presented her with a giant check. "My mom is going to fall on the floor!"
Eight students were awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships on Friday. Scholarships ranged from $2,500 to $10,200 and can be used for any school of their choice.
"My parents didn't go to college," scholarship winner Shalom Ndimubwihisho said. "I'm going to be the first one."
JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio presents scholarship check to Shalom Ndimubwihisho at Southern High School.
District employees raised $68,700 for a student scholarship fund. Students wrote personal statements, prepared presentations outlining their plans and financial needs, and interviewed with JCPS officials.
"I've had a hard life," scholarship winner Sabina Rai said. "This scholarship makes me happy inside because I just want to help my family."
JCPS said all of the recipients are excellent students, but their families couldn't afford college without significant financial help.
"It feels like I made it," Infante said. "Thank you all so much!"
At just 16 years old, Infante convinced her parents to move from Cuba to the U.S. so she could have a better life and get a higher education.
"For them it was more of a decision of 'This is our daughter's future over our lives,'" Infante said. "Gracias mami y papi for being there for me."
JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio presents scholarship check to Erika Infante at Doss High School.
She said her tassel was worth the hassle, as she graduates from Doss High School in just a few days. Because of this scholarship, she can now pursue a marketing degree at the University of Louisville.
"You are capable of doing whatever you want in this country," Infante said.
Since the JCPS Employee Sponsored Student Scholarship Fund began in 2019, 36 seniors have received scholarship checks.
Here's the full list of this year's recipients:
Isaiah Duran, Louisville Male - $10,200
Duran is a valedictorian at Male while also working at UPS as part of the School to Work program. He's also served on mission trips to Guatemala and builds homes through Habitat for Humanity. He plans to attend the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering to become a civil engineer.
A'nya Ellison, duPont Manual - $10,200
Ellison is a cheerleader at Manual and has received all A's since middle school. She's earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and is a member of multiple programs while working at Chick-Fil-A. She plans on majoring in Health Science at the University of Kentucky.
Erika Infante, Doss - $10,200
Infante and her family left the oppression of Cuba and came to America just two years ago. As a member of the Hospitality and Marketing Academy, she's won multiple competitions representing Doss. She'll be attending the University of Louisville.
Audrey Duran Martinez, Fairdale - $5,000
Duran Martinez has completed internships with Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health and became inspired to pursue a career in medicine to help underserved communities. She'll attend Notre Dame University to study biochemistry and French.
Vanessa Martinez Garduno, Atherton - $2,500
Martinez Garduno attended the Governor's School for the Arts for film and photography after completing the Media Arts pathway. She'll attend the Loyola University in Chicago and plans to advocate for undocumented people and other minorities.
Saana Mugabo, Central - $10,200
Mugabho is a school ambassador at Central while also participating in the pre-med magnet program. She is the treasurer of the African Student Association and has taken numerous Advanced Placement and dual credit classes while having a part-time job. She'll be attending the University of Kentucky.
Shalom Ndimubwihisho, Southern - $10,200
Ndimubwihisho came to Louisville in 2018 as a refugee. But after learning a new language and adjusting, he became an honor student. He is the president of Southern's Black Student Union and member of three sports team. He will attend the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering.
Sabina Rai, Fern Creek - $10,200
Rai lost her father when she was 7 and her mother in 2021 so she is graduating a year early to help her family. She'll be majoring in nursing at Bellarmine University.
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