Yvonne Hawkins

Yvonne Hawkins became interested in kinesiology as a high school athlete. The volleyball player, who uses they/them pronouns, spent a lot of time with an athletic trainer and in physical therapy, and when considering college options, it was clear that OSU offered a great program. “I feel like I made the right choice,” they say. “I’m already having beneficial opportunities in my field” – including working with a graduate student on a research project aimed at preventing injuries. For Yvonne, Finish in Four has health benefits, too, by lowering stress. “I’m excited to go through school with this group of people. Finish in Four is going to be a constant and I think that’s reassuring. We’re all working towards a similar goal so it’s motivating.”

Marrylin Ogbonna

Honors College student Marrylin Ogbonna has a passion for advocacy and community engagement. She wants to go to law school and plans to major in psychology, focusing on understanding people before delving into politics. “My goal is to help people with my education; that’s what education should be used for,” she says. “Coming from a lower income background, I know that getting a higher education is a privilege many people don’t have.” For her, Finish in Four took off the burden of worrying about paying for college while also creating a community with people who value her experiences and educational goals. She says that donors who support programs like Finish in Four “aren’t only helping students but also their families and society. It’s really impactful, and I’m really grateful for that.”

Gerardo Vargas Miranda

Gerardo Vargas Miranda is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. “I’m excited to be the first engineer in my family – I think that’s really cool,” he says. “A lot of creativity goes into that job. I can see myself going to work and being happy about it every day.” He was amazed to learn he was chosen for the first Finish in Four cohort. “I was super happy and grateful. I’m hoping we’ll build a good community. I’m especially interested in getting internships and I hope this will help.” At OSU Gerardo quickly found friends and a sense of community in a program that supports migrant and seasonal farm workers and their children. “My parents weren’t able to go to college. I’m happy I’m making them proud right now,” he says. “The scholarship lifted a huge burden off their shoulders, and I’m going to make great use of it.”