Click on video above to view Katherine's speech from Fiddler's Elbow Country Club's Mixed Stix event on July 29, 2024 which benefitted Tri-County or read on for a summary:
Born to teenage parents who had emigrated from Colombia, Katherine’s early life was affected by significant challenges. Her parents left a country troubled by the war on drugs, seeking better opportunities in the United States. Despite their difficulties, they remained committed to giving Katherine opportunities they never possessed themselves.
From an early age, Katherine’s parents emphasized the importance of education. At just five years old, Katherine was a bilingual speaker and reader so they sought a school that would challenge their bright daughter. They enrolled her at Saint Virgil School in Morris Plains, NJ. However, the financial burden of private education became more and more difficult for them to afford as tuition increased for the higher grades. At a critical point, Tri-County Scholarship Fund stepped in to provide essential financial assistance, covering over half of her eighth-grade tuition.
Tri-County Scholarship Fund’s support continued throughout Katherine’s high school years at Morris Catholic High School. This assistance relieved her family of significant financial pressure and allowed her to excel academically and athletically. Participating in three sports and excelling as a varsity lacrosse goalie, Katherine thrived in an environment where she could focus on her growth without financial constraints.
I think that a lot of my drive comes from the fact that at age 12, there was a group of people who believed in me, including the donors of Tri-County School Fund, without even knowing me personally.
Katherine is grateful to have also been supported by Tri-County co-founder, Edward Hennessy, with annual scholarships to Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she continued to pursue her ambitions and played goalie for FDU's Division 3 women's lacrosse team. Katherine earned her Bachelor’s degree from FDU and subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Saint Elizabeth University. Driven by her dedication to education and desire to serve the community, she is pursuing a Doctoral program at the same institution.
While working toward her doctorate in psychology, Katherine works as a psychology intern, focusing on supporting first-generation adolescents. Her work is rooted in her personal experiences and the challenges she has overcome. The stability and confidence provided by Tri-County Scholarship Fund throughout her educational journey have enabled her dream big! Katherine would like to establish private practices in both the United States and Colombia to address the persistent mental health crisis.
By investing in Katherine's future, Tri-County established a strong foundation for her educational achievements and enabled her to become a source of inspiration and support for others. Her successes in the face of adversity underscore the importance of fostering the potential of the next generation, one dedicated to improving themselves and those around them.
Comments