Mattis Law would like to congratulate all of our scholarship winners. We hope that by offering this money, we are helping not only one student, but an entire community that will reap the benefits of that student's drive for success.
Mattis Law would like to thank all who applied. Please check our blog and Facebook page for announcements and other scholarship opportunities.
I vividly remember my mother sharing her childhood story of immigrating to the United States at a young age. My grandparents arrived in America with only $200 in their pockets to support their family of five and could barely comprehend the alphabet, let alone speak English. They came to “the land of opportunity” for a better future for their children, spending 70+ vigorous hours a week working in their family-owned restaurant and tirelessly saving up to provide my mother and her siblings with a quality college education and a successful future. With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, my family emphasized the importance of quality education as the key to a successful and fulfilling future.
Observing my mother’s love for teaching inspired me to follow my own passion as a teacher. Since my sophomore year, I’ve devoted over 1,000 hours to improving students’ critical thinking skills, passing knowledge to younger generations, and connecting with students. My years of experience as a SCUSD Youth Peer Mentor gave me the privilege to be a 4H Youth Experiment and Sciences Teen Teacher, where I dedicated my time to lead engaging and interactive science projects, bringing huge smiles to students’ faces.
My father, a police officer serving our community for nearly 20 years, has instilled a deep sense of community-oriented service into my life. His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he has been recognized with a plethora of awards — one being the Kiwanis Club’s Officer of the Year Award. Inspired by my father’s efforts, I took action to become highly involved in a service club within the Kiwanis Family branch: Key Club.
Throughout my three years in Key Club, I’ve developed an intense passion for service and leadership, accumulating over 300 hours of community service. My love for service encouraged me to take on several roles on the Division Leadership Team as General Executive Assistant, Spirit Coordinator, and Media Manager for my club, in addition to joining the Division Spirit Team. Recognizing areas of growth throughout JFK Key Club, I took the initiative to run for Key Club President. Throughout my presidency, I’ve organized a diverse range of service events, not only within my school but also extending into my community. I hosted my school’s first-ever thrift meet, countless neighborhood cleanups, donation drives, a stocking stuffer event to gift the homeless, and many more events.
In addition to Key Club, I’ve been very involved in my school and community. I have been planning John F. Kennedy High School’s dances for the past two years, which include everything from finding the DJ to organizing the theme, layout, decorations, posters, snacks, refreshments, and even ticket prices. Being a part of the ASB Student Government was stressful but surely rewarding. This student-led leadership body has made my high school experience one for the books. I plan and run the school rallies, come up with Spirit Week ideas and themes, and, most importantly, serve as a voice on campus. As my passion for involvement on campus flourished, I chose to join the JFK Yearbook Staff, where I was able to bring my imagination to life. My leadership roles in 4H, Key Club, ASB Student Government, and Yearbook have taught me the importance of hard work and what you can achieve with it. I became even more involved in my community through the Local Government Institute Program, where I learned how to be civically engaged, even earning the privilege of meeting face-to-face with the Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who advocates for important issues revolving in our city, such as homelessness, graffiti, and street litter.
As my high school journey comes to a close and I prepare for college, my vocational goal is to continue to thrive in leadership and service by reactivating Circle K International at San Francisco State University as an incoming first-year this upcoming fall. I am committed to reviving this club by organizing a city-wide cleanup to beautify San Francisco by removing trash from the streets. This event will be similar to the countless neighborhood and campus cleanups I’ve hosted in the past, but bigger and better. I’ll make this city-wide cleanup open to everyone to attend and will publicize this event by putting up posters and utilizing social media platforms. This city-wide cleanup will not only unite the San Francisco community for a spectacular cause, but it’ll also bring publicity and awareness to SF State Circle K.
As I prepare for a new chapter of my life, I foresee difficulty in being able to afford the high costs of attending a university. With the expenses for San Francisco State University totaling over $30,000 per year, I recognize the need for a proactive approach to overcome this financial obstacle. To address this financial burden, I am committed to working a full-time job on-campus at SF State. Balancing work, academics, and my mental health presents a challenge, but I am confident I can find the perfect balance. After college, I hope to pursue a career as a manager for a business that I enjoy.
I’m immensely grateful for all of the everlasting memories and lifelong friendships I’ve cultivated throughout high school. Despite the stress and countless challenges I’ve encountered along the way, I am beyond proud of my growth and accomplishments. In just a couple of months from now, we’ll be on our own different paths, and although I am saddened to leave these friendships and memories behind, I’m looking forward to this fresh, new, and exciting chapter of my life.
If selected for this scholarship, a significant amount of financial stress will be alleviated for my family and meIf chosen for this scholarship, I will utilize these funds to their fullest extent, promoting positive change and leaving an everlasting positive impact on the world! Thank you for considering my application and for believing in my vision. Together, let’s strive for a change.
- Elizabeth L.
"I feel blessed every day and very fortunate to be part of this community."
- Francesca Ruggeri
The career path that I have chosen for my future is that of a substance abuse counselor. Substance abuse counselors provide assistance and therapy to clients wishing to stop their use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. I am considering this field because of my personal experience with substance abuse and a desire to help others toward recovery, as well. Nineteen years of sobriety have helped me to grow into the strong and independent woman and mother I am today. I have a deep connection to others and am just fascinated by people in general. My empathy helps me to understand those who have lived and survived trauma and pain. Santa Barbara City College has opened this door for me. Along the way, I have taken courses that have helped my mental state of mind as well. Yoga beginning/intermediate, pilates, and weight training beginning/intermediate. ADC classes can be heavy on the heart and mind, forcing me to look not only at myself and my life but also constantly put myself in question about being a mother, a good person, and a positive role model for my children and peers. Almost every professor I have had has been an amazing role model who has bent over backward to assist me in my journey as a 42-year-old single mother of two and full-time student with a full-time job. I feel blessed every day and very fortunate to be part of this community.
"I work full-time as a counselor and caretaker for those with disabilities; I'm a full-time student and a full-time mom."
- Francesca Ruggeri
I have a colorful background and have fallen and gotten up so many times that I've lost count. I've always dedicated myself to others, whether it be the man on the street asking for money, my twin boys in need of love, my family in need of guidance and support, or a random stranger in need of a smile or a hug to remind them that they too exist and are just as important as the next.
"I strive to help others and to remind them how to love, smile, communicate, and how to ask for help when they are in need."
- Francesca Ruggeri
I work full-time as a counselor and caretaker for those with disabilities; I'm a full-time student and a full-time mom. I strive to help others and to remind them how to love, smile, communicate, and how to ask for help when they are in need. I like to touch base on important issues regarding depression, guilt, powerlessness, fear, forgiveness, and losing control.
I thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope we may collaborate in being the soul tenders of those in need together, one day at a time.
Thank you,
- Francesca Ruggeri
