The coaches at College Admissions Assistance are happy to announce our $2,000 first prize scholarship winner for the 2017 graduating class! Sekoya Pelayo is an avid Cubs fan from the city of Chicago and has been a member with CAA for almost two years. She is still finalizing her college choice, since she has two possible options left. However, she is so impressive since she was accepted at every school to which she applied! In college she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or communications on her way to law school. In the future, she wants to go to law school and pursue a career as a criminal attorney.
While in the program, Sekoya did a great job using the different services CAA provides. She connected with the coaching team over the phone and through email. She appreciated our help specifically through the award letter process and helping know about college costs.
In high school, she was involved in many extracurricular activities. She enjoyed playing softball in high school, though baseball is her first love. She played second base and in the outfield. As a member of the student ambassador program at her school, she helped to give tours of the campus. Through this activity she was able to share the real experience of her high school with prospective students.
Her most influential activity outside of class was having an internship at Loyola University. This allowed her to meet with lawyers and learn more about that career field. She worked with lawyers that were working on the Tre’von Martin case. This experience gave her even more motivation to become a lawyer.
She will be the first in her family to attend college. She said, “Education is one way to succeed in my city. Education has paved the way for me and for my younger siblings.” Her father really helped her understand that hard work is essential to succeed in life. She has learned from his passion and the fact that he doesn’t let anything hinder him. She told us her favorite saying is “I either find a way or make a way.”
The coaches at College Admissions Assistance think she will succeed in making her own way in college to a bright future. Sekoya has overcome obstacles so far in her life and has grown into a determined young adult. Just like her high school mascot of an eagle, Sekoya is poised to soar to new heights!
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