Meet Ulises, a 2021 graduate from North Chicago Community High School and recipient of the Warhawk Lancer Scholarship. Ulises recently sat down with Nic Cass to share his plans for the future and explain what receiving this scholarship means to him.
“When I was 10 years old, I wanted to pursue being a doctor. To me that was a huge thing because I wanted to help people out.” But as time passed, he became uncertain about his future. One day Ulises sat down with his mom and took a career survey. He discovered that a career in cyber security best fit his interests.
Ulises’ parents supported his decision to attend the College of Lake County (CLC) to pursue this new career path. “My family was pretty much OK with anything I wanted to study. They just want me to give my entire energy of my mind, my body, everything.” But the decision to attend CLC wasn’t clear-cut.
In the months leading up to his high school graduation, Ulises had the opportunity to study at University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). He was hesitant to commit to attending full time. “I would have gone to UIS; however, there wasn’t really an option or plan for when I’d go down. I would just be on a boat going around the sea and see where it would take me.”
A few weeks later, Ulises received an email about the Warhawks Lancer Scholarship. “When you compare paying for everything at UIS with CLC, where everything is paid for, I’m going to CLC because it’s a very good path.” Not only did it provide the financial assistance he needed, but the scholarship allowed Ulises to stay in the North Chicago area and work at the high school. “I never imagined myself being back here at the high school; I never imagined myself working here. [The scholarship] has opened the door of opportunities for me to explore multiple internships and work where I can grow.”
After CLC, Ulises would like to keep working locally. He would like to eventually create a program or website to help individuals who have had their identities stolen.
If you’d like to support students like Ulises, consider taking part in our annual Faith on the Fairway golf outing, which raises money for the Warhawk Lancer scholarship. Not a golfer? Not a problem! You can come for the dinner and silent auction. Register today at www.faithonthefairway.org.