Being raised in a family of 5 with a single working mom, Abraham Benitez knows that the Simon Family Foundation Scholarship will enable him “to worry about the present and not the future.” He remembers as a child wanting to buy things in the store, and “when one is small, you don’t realize there isn’t enough money,” he said. Today he is well aware of that reality. With two younger sisters following behind him, Abraham wants to set the example by working hard to receive a college degree and then become a teacher. His Spanish teacher highly recommended him for the scholarship because he is hard working, determined and focused. She said, “Abraham believes in higher education and knows that with a university degree, he will succeed.” With a current GPA of 3.4 and a willingness to do whatever it takes, Abraham believes he will be able to provide a better life for his siblings. With the scholarship in hand, Abraham is well on his way.

When his brother disappeared for eight years at the age of 17, Arturo’s family of seven was thrown into turmoil. This affected him deeply. “Without him, my mom continually cried, and I was very depressed,” he recalls, which temporarily lessened his ambition and aspirations to become an Architect. As time went by, however, Arturo realized that an education was his ticket to a better life. Building something has always been his passion, and his desire is to become the first member of his family to graduate with a university degree, hopefully in architecture. His AVID teacher believes Arturo is most worthy for the Simon Family Foundation Scholarship. With a 3.3 GPA, she said that Arturo possesses a “quiet contentment that influences those around him to focus and work harder.” She recalls Arturo approaching her at the beginning of 10th grade to explain that he wanted to stop playing football and spend more time “working on his educational goals. He expressed a philosophy that his education would be what sustained him throughout his time in high school…and that his goals were rooted in academics, not football. I was both proud and awed to hear him make such an adult decision,” she said. The Simon Foundation is equally proud to welcome him as a Scholar.

Strength and confidence come from within, according to Anna Freud, and those are words that Daniel Garcia has learned to be true from his personal experience. “Accomplishing my dream is more important to me than how I appear to others,” he said. One of his dreams – to become a Simon Scholar – has already been achieved, and now Daniel is looking to fulfill another dream of his, which is to become a neurosurgeon. Daniel has already wrestled with and conquered obstacles such as “being the victim of insults because I was overweight,” and not allowing others to affect his estimation of himself. With a current GPA of 3.8, Daniel works hard every day in school, according to his AVID teacher. “Daniel is always in my classroom with a smile…he never takes himself too seriously, is aware of his teachers’ expectations and always meets or exceeds them.” His Chemistry teacher said that Daniel is a consistent leader in the classroom, always ready to volunteer and help others around him. He continues to believe that what Anna Freud says is true: “I need to look within for my strength.” The Simon Family Foundation hopes to be an additional support to help him reach his full potential.

With his sights set on becoming a Pharmacist, Erick Gutierrez is selecting a career near and dear to his heart. Born with several serious health issues, including a hole in his heart and a severe skin problem, Erick is deeply committed to helping others and minimizing their pain. “It’s really rewarding to know that you have helped cure a person of their pain and/or disease,” he said. His parents are of Guatemalan and Salvadoran descent, and Erick has watched them constantly struggle to make ends meet. He wants to change that in the future, and he knows that a college education is the best way to do that. His Honors English teacher said that Erick “overcomes, everyday, problems associated with grinding poverty.” In spite of all his family’s difficulties, she said “Erick gets his homework done, manages to be present, and stays focused.” Maintaining a GPA of 3.0, Erick said the Simon Scholars Program will help him achieve the self-confidence he feels he is lacking. “I believe that all the hardships and obstacles I’ve gone through have made me a stronger person,” he said.

Morcos Hanna's Biology teacher says that he has a smile that “lights up a room.” Perhaps this is because he sees his future as very bright. As Morcos puts it, “Everyone lives for a dream and wishes that their dream will come true.” He models his life after Langston Hughes, who believes that ‘If one doesn’t have a dream, then he doesn’t have a life.’” Morcos’ family immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt in 2007. Initially, life was extremely difficult for him, as Morcos struggled to learn English. Now he has not only mastered Arabic and English, but he is well on his way with Spanish as well. Morcos maintains a GPA of 4.0, while also working in the school cafeteria very early in the morning in order to save money for college and help out with family expenses. His teacher explains, “Morcos does not get paid extra for going to work early in the cafeteria. He just possesses an incredible work ethic and the desire to do things well.” His History teacher concurred. “Morcos continually displays enthusiasm and a joy for learning. He is also of exceptional character.” Morcos' goal is to graduate college and become either an eye doctor or a dentist. “I want to help people deal with their illnesses,” he said. “I am ready to work hard, and the Simon Scholarship will encourage me to do so.”