Animal science major Eden Peterson, 18, has always known that she wanted to attend college and that she would one day work with animals. “Ever since I was a little kid I’ve known I wanted to work with animals,” she said. Her parents didn’t attend college, but her grandparents did. In fact, they attended Cal Poly. Peterson, who is from nearby Paso Robles, chose Cal Poly because of its animal science program, but also because she felt more comfortable being closer to home. “The Cal Poly Scholars program has been amazing,” said Peterson. “It’s great to come to college and already have a support system of advisors and mentors set up.” Peterson was paired with an academic advisor and a program mentor. “Thanks to them and the support of this program, college feels a lot more manageable,” she said. Peterson said that no matter what, she would have found a way to attend college. However, the scholarships she received helped reduce the burden. “Words cannot express how grateful I am. Receiving this scholarship was such a blessing for me and my family,” said Peterson. “It is amazing to have people support and invest in your future. It gives me that much more motivation to make the best out of my time here at Cal Poly and succeed.”
Bioresource and agricultural engineering major Armando Nevarez, 18, is a first-generation college student from Imperial, Calif. His father, a farm laborer charged with irrigating multiple fields, always cautioned his son that it was back-breaking work and that he should pursue another path. Regardless, he found himself drawn to agriculture in high school, after taking an agricultural mechanics course and joining FFA. He was hooked. “By the time I entered my senior year, I was dead set on majoring in agricultural engineering as it combined both of my interests — engineering and agriculture — into a neat bundle,” said Nevarez. He said he was naturally drawn to Cal Poly because of its Learn by Doing mission. “I was able to find great success in high school because I chose classes that embodied this motto. I knew a university that shares this same principal is right for me.” Nevarez is now a member of the Cal Poly Agricultural Engineering Society, Agricultural Ambassadors, Latinos in Agriculture, and the Quarter Scale and Tractor Pull clubs. “I am extremely grateful for the Cal Poly Scholars program,” he said. “Aside from the financial benefits, the program strives to help its students excel. I hope to be able to better navigate through my courses so that I may succeed, and the Cal Poly Scholars program offers me that opportunity.”
Animal science major Justin Kwan, 20, started his college journey enrolled in computer engineering courses, at his parents beckoning. “In the back of my head, I knew if I ever felt unsatisfied with this major, I could switch over to Animal Science and pursue veterinary medicine at any time,” said Kwan. After a quarter of taking computer engineering courses, he decided to pursue his true passion. Both he and his brother are first-generation students. “Being a first-generation student had a significant impact on my decision to go to college. Both of my parents did not have enough money to attend college because of their large family and social status,” said Kwan. “Their stories of hardship gave me the motivation to attend college, graduate, and make a lot of money from my career. All in all, my main reason to attend college is to make my parents proud and to make their countless efforts to keep me healthy and happy not go unnoticed.” The Cal Poly Scholars program has helped alleviate some of the financial burden of student loans that Kwan would have to rely on. “Coming from a lower-middle-class family, financially, my family and I are unable to pay for all the college expenses,” he said. “In addition, Cal Poly Scholars has provided me many resources that have helped me in my college development both as a person and as a student.” Kwan hopes to attend graduate school at UC Davis to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. “Without Cal Poly Scholars, I truly believe I would not be as successful in my college career as I am today,” Kwan said.
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