The Grove Foundation School-to-Career Scholarship is designed to honor
and support talented students who plan to complete a career-focused
associates degree or technical program in a community college, with the
goal of obtaining employment in their chosen field upon graduation.
The scholarship provides qualified students from select
California schools up to $4,000 to spend on tuition, books, and related
educational expenses at Cabrillo College, Evergreen Valley College, or San Jose City College. This scholarship is administered by partner high
schools and colleges, who select the scholarship winners and disburse the funds over the course of
study (typically two years). Hundreds of students have been awarded Grove Scholarships
-- and their success
stories abound.
Grove Scholar Sandra Ferreira
Sandra Ferreira graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2001 with honors. A top math and science student, she graduated with a cumulative 3.9 GPA and knew she wanted to become a nurse. Her inspiration came from having spent her own childhood caring for a family member who has diabetes. This experience led to her curiosity about the human body and medical advances – and to her desire to dedicate her career to caring for patients. Sandra attended a nursing orientation summer school class at De Anza and went on to take all of the prerequisites. She applied to De Anza’s nursing program, was accepted, and graduated in December 2004. She passed her nursing exam in March and landed a job as a nurse for surgical and pediatric services at El Camino Hospital. She says that the key to her success was finding a career path that she enjoys. Sandra “truly loves to care for her patients in the hospital – and addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of their care.” Sandra’s advice to students wanting to go into the medical profession? “Spend time with a health professional and ask a lot of questions. It is a very demanding job emotionally and physically. You have to love your job to be good at it.”
Grove Scholar Adrian Serrano
Adrian Serrano heard about the Grove Scholars program in his electronics class when he was a senior at Silver Creek High School. He had good grades in computers and a personal interest in technology, and decided to try to win a scholarship to study IT. He was selected to be a Grove Scholar and, almost immediately after his high school graduation in June of 2001, he enrolled in an 18-month, intensive program at Heald College in San Jose/Milpitas. He enjoyed the program at Heald, which he found to be focused, fast-paced and hands-on. He graduated with an A.S. in December, 2002 and launched his career right away by taking a job as a game tester for Sony. This job led to a position at Hudson, where he worked for 1 ½ years and received three rapid promotions. Continuing to move up his career ladder, Adrian has relocated to Los Angeles to work as a quality assurance manager in the mobile division of Square-Enix. Adrian credits his postsecondary education for his success. “If I didn’t go to college, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now – naming my salary and negotiating benefits. I can afford to be on my own at age 22, and definitely feel ahead of the game.” As a bonus, he loves what he does. Adrian has some advice for high school students who are considering their options: “Go immediately to [postsecondary] school – don’t take a break after high school. You need that degree to prove you are capable to go beyond what others can do. And don’t give up. It’s hard work but the payoff is worth it.”
