Mentorship lifts first-generation scholars from District 211 to college success

With nearly 400 supporters in attendance, Excel Beyond 211 Dollars for Scholars, a nonprofit group assisting first-generation college students, celebrated the success of 27 recent college graduates.

Guests at the annual event were greeted by a lively eight-member mariachi band as more than 100 EB211 scholars gathered June 13 at Palatine High School to accept awards and scholarships with families, mentors, donors and EB211 members applauding their success.

Mariam Bhatti-Mushtaq, EB211 board member and mentor, welcomed the attendees by acknowledging the theme of the evening, “Empowering Futures,” and noting how it factors into the work by EB211’s donors, mentors, advisory board members and students.

Bhatti-Mushtaq pointed out that while the national graduation average after six years of study for first-generation students is 11%, EB211 students achieved a 70% graduation rate in that same time frame, nearly 7 times the national average.

“That’s not just a number. That’s the true power of community, the impact of mentorship, and the result of true empowerment,” she said. “That’s what EB211 is about.”

She listed other impressive numbers for the organization. EB211 has grown from 10 scholarship donors in its first year to 150 in its 11th year. In 2014, its first year in existence, EB211 awarded $5,000 in scholarships. This year, EB211 made $210,000 in awards and scholarships.

From 30 mentors in its first year, EB211’s mentor ranks now exceed 200, and the organization, which is affiliated with Dollars for Scholars as one of 455 chapters of Scholarship America, has assisted 350 students over the years.

Among its graduates, 17 have returned to serve as mentors for EB211. Fifteen students have joined the EB211 Alumni Advisory Council, and nine students have served as interns for the mentor-based organization.

This year’s graduates earned degrees from the University of Illinois-Chicago (6), Beloit College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (5), Ball State University, Howard University, University of Chicago, Illinois State University (3), Northeastern Illinois University (2), Georgetown University, Edgewood College, Roosevelt University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, University of Michigan, Harvard University, and Indiana University.

Palatine High School principal Tony Medina, who oversees 2,700 students in one of the largest districts in the state, was the keynote speaker for the evening, and addressed a topic that many of the student scholars have faced: impostor syndrome.

“The thing I struggled with most growing up was self-belief … whether you’re good enough to be where you are,” said Medina, the son of hardworking immigrants from Mexico.

Although he has successfully navigated a 19-year career as an educator and is working on his doctoral dissertation after earning two master’s degrees, those doubts still creep in, he said.

“One of the things I’ve learned over the years is self-belief is overcoming those doubts,” he said. “And the most important thing is believing in what you do.”

He encouraged everyone to set goals and don’t hesitate to ask for help. “Nobody else determines your potential. It’s determined by your own choices, and the pursuit of your own goals. … Do something that you are passionate about.”

Two EB211 scholars, Nathalie Bermudez and Yulia Hutsul, also were honored to address the audience as new grads and shared their college experience with the group.

Bermudez, who earned a degree in psychology from the University of Chicago, is now in a master’s program and training to become a therapeutic social worker with a concentration on mental health. She earned a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious institute and still experienced “late nights of self doubt” while earning her degree. She also learned a lot from others, she said, acknowledging her parents, mentors and teachers.

“It’s important to choose what makes you happy and to let yourself be happy. Life’s a little easier when you’re doing something that brings you joy,” Bermudez said. “Every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step. You’re moving, and that’s enough.”

There is much strength, she added, in embracing your culture and your community.

“I’ve learned how important it is to stay connected to your roots, to not let go where you come from, to carry your culture proudly and to wear it on your sleeve and let it be your strength.”

For Hutsul, her journey started at Harper College when she didn’t get accepted by her “dream school.” After earning her associate degree, her EB211 mentor helped her complete a successful transfer to that dream school, Georgetown University, where she earned a degree in International Politics.

The support from her mentor “reminded me again and again that I had someone in my corner,” Hutsul said. “And that’s what EB211 gave me. Not just some advice, but a community. It showed that I had people who believed in me, invested in me, and showed up for me. Not only financially, but with their time, energy and care.”

Nicole Alexander, director of Student Success Programs at Scholarship America, gave the closing address after EB211 board members gave out $210,000 in awards and scholarships to deserving mentees. In addition, each graduate attending the celebration was awarded a $500 check by the Foglia Family Foundation as an investment in their future.

The Foglia Foundation also made it possible for each graduate to receive an additional $500 to donate to a certified 501(c) nonprofit charity of their choice. Among the organizations benefiting from the gifts provided through the grads were Big Brothers/Big Sisters; the Kenneth Young Center; Ball State Navigators; Calvary International Baptist Ministry; Partners For Our Communities; Wings shelter; Feeding Our Kids; Dental Lifeline Network; Ukraine Volya Foundation; a Gaza emergency support network; St. Jude Research Hospital; Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation; Feed My Starving Children; and Missionaries of Chicago.

EB211 board president Nancy Robb thanked the Foglia Family Foundation for its efforts to honor the graduates.

“Their commitment to making a difference serves as an inspiration to us all, and we are excited that our mentees can follow in their footsteps and positively impact others in their communities,” Robb said.

“Together we are empowering futures, celebrating achievements and fostering a spirit of gratitude and generosity that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.”

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