by Letizia Wetzel

I was born to a mother who didn’t speak English and a father who worked in a lumber mill. Prior to getting married, my dad dropped out of college after one semester. After having four kids, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. My mom, who had been a teacher in Mexico, decided to pursue US teaching credentials at the same time. My parents both graduated from college just a few years before I went to college. Although they couldn’t offer financial help, they knew exactly what I needed to do to apply for college, seek out and apply for scholarships, and register for classes. My parents’ four children have now collectively earned four bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, and one doctoral degree.

About the time I became well established in my career, an educator friend commented to me that she taught middle school kids who wanted a better life than their parents had, but had no idea how to get it. It made me reflect on my experience of  having someone to show me the way. This could be a game changer for a young student. I envisioned a program where funding for college was combined with mentoring, and the idea for First Degree Scholarship was born.