WKU’s F1rst Gen Hosts Semesters Closing Event ‘F1rst Gen Win!’
In a celebration of achievements, WKU’s F1rst Gen organization hosted the end-of-the-semester event dubbed ‘F1rst Gen Win!’ on Wednesday. Aimed at recognizing first-generation college students with notable successes and awarding scholarships, the occasion served as a fitting culmination of a challenging semester.
Acknowledging First-Generation College Student Achievements
According to Cierra Waller, the associate director of CITL, ‘F1rst Gen Win!’ revolves around celebrating the end of the semester, heralding the scholarship recipients, and highlighting the incredible accomplishments of first-generation college students who have overcome personal and academic obstacles. This continues the organization’s mission to provide a supportive platform for these trailblazers on campus, prepared to embark on a path their families had not yet navigated.
Scholarships Recognize Excellence and Alleviate Financial Burden
Among the attendees was Martha Onda, a freshman nursing major, who was elated to learn that she had received a scholarship. She expressed relief and gratitude, noting that the financial aid can assist in offsetting her school expenses, enabling a more worry-free academic journey ahead. This acknowledgment carries substantial meaning for her, as she moved to Bowling Green in 2019 from Tanzania and is a first-gen student herself, experiencing a sense of fellowship and understanding within the F1rst Gen community.
F1rst Gen: Cultivating an Inclusive and Supportive Community
F1rst Gen’s end-of-semester event exemplified the organization’s mission to instill a sense of inclusion and support within the first-gen students, as expressed by Alyssa Fisk – a first-generation college student and F1rst Gen student ambassador. “Being an ambassador just helps me be able to make connections with others as well as helping other incoming students make those connections,” Fisk said. The scholarship being awarded to Martha Onda, a regular at F1rst Gen events, epitomizes this sentiment, with Fisk expressing how rewarding it was to see a member’s reaction.
F1rst Gen proves to be a robust support network for its members, making journeys slightly less challenging for first-generation students at WKU. With its accomplishments this semester and projects lined up for the next, the organization indeed promises students an inclusive community striving to celebrate their wins, big or small.
