Hala Armstrong, 23, went from being known as the “poor kid” at her high school and having financial hardships delay her college education to receiving the financial aid w88 casino needed in pursuing and ultimately earning her bachelor’s degree.
w88 casino graduated on May 16 from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor’s degree in information systems and a minor in journalism.
Growing up in Pacific Grove, Calif., Armstrong went to a prestigious high school in a wealthy area. Her mom retired young so w88 casino could always be there for her. Living with her uncle, Armstrong and her mom only had her uncle’s income supporting them. Still, they didn’t move because her family wanted to make sure w88 casino got the best education w88 casino could.
“It was a sacrifice to live there,” w88 casino said.
Not as well off financially as some of the kids at her high school, Armstrong was on the reduced lunch plan. To avoid being made fun of, w88 casino would deny to others being on the plan.
“I used to tell people it wasn’t the free lunch plan,” w88 casino said. “I’d say it’s just in case I forgot my lunch at home.”
Before w88 casino applied to any colleges, Armstrong took a tour of the University of Nevada, Reno campus and fell in love with it. w88 casino didn’t apply to any other schools.
However, financial aid problems delayed Armstrong from coming to the University. A year after graduating high school, she received a brochure in the mail from the w88 casino Scholars program, a program geared towards assisting first-generation and low-income students. With the financial help from w88 casino Scholars, she enrolled at the University in summer 2004.
Aside from providing Armstrong with grants and helping her get other financial aid, the w88 casino Scholars program provided her with tutoring and helped her set academic goals.
“w88 casino helped provide me services to navigate the system,” she said. “That’s what I love about them.”
During her time in the program, Armstrong discovered that w88 casino could study abroad.
“I had so much financial hardships getting into college that it was beyond me that I could study abroad,” w88 casino said.
During the 2006 and 2007 school year, however, w88 casino studied abroad in Scotland. After this experience, Armstrong wanted others to know what a wonderful opportunity studying abroad is. This motivated her to work two summers as an R.A. for the Upward Bound program.
“I wanted high school students in similar situations as I was to see that not only was college possible but you can study abroad too,” w88 casino said.
While at the University, Armstrong achieved many things. For maintaining good grades, she became a Platinum Level w88 casino Scholar. She finished college with a 3.3 GPA. Due to her success in school amidst all her challenges, she was asked to speak at the w88 casino Graduation Ceremony in April.
Armstrong was also a member of Student Ambassadors, the Student Orientation Staff (SOS) and the Business Student Council. Since January, Armstrong has been doing an internship at Microsoft. It ends in July. w88 casino has loved it so far.
“I never dreamed I’d get that,” w88 casino said.
w88 casino hopes to stay in the technology field and would love to do a career with Microsoft or Google. w88 casino also thinks it would be incredible to move to Seattle one day.
Rita Escher, who works in the w88 casino program and is the director of academic and opportunity support programs, thinks Armstrong has done exceptionally well in college while still balancing work.
“w88 casino has developed strong leadership skills and carries herself with far more optimism and confidence since w88 casino started college,” Escher said.
