Fort Bend Education Foundation recently announced Paola Flores, a senior at Bush High School, won the 2021 Vision Inspired (VI) Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior from Fort Bend ISD’s AVID program each year.

The scholarship is part of the VI Scholars program, developed in partnership with the Fort Bend Education Foundation, with the goal of providing impactful scholarships and mentorship for high-potential students.

Throughout their time in college, VI Scholars will engage regularly with VI Foundation’s leadership team in proactive and intentional conversations about their career goals and pathways. Members of the VI Foundation mentor students by sharing stories about their failures and successes and guiding them through the processes of thinking through difficult decisions.

“Our team has served in a variety of industries ranging from Fortune 100 tech companies, engineering and financial services sectors, and leading consulting firms,” said Matthew Wong, board member of Vision Inspired Foundation. “It’s a two-way street. Importantly, the student joins VI not only as a mentee, but a fellow colleague. We expect to learn from them as much as they will learn from us.”

In addition, all students in the program receive up to $16,000 over four years. This amount, combined with FAFSA estimates, means a student’s tuition at many institutions could be fully covered.

Pictured (l-r): Tiffany Loos, Fort Bend ISD AVID Coordinator; Matthew Wong, Vision Inspired Foundation; Hannah Fawcett, Vision Inspired Foundation; Paola Flores, VI Scholarship Recipient; Brenna Cosby, Fort Bend Education Foundation Executive Director; Michael Mulcahy, Vision Inspired Foundation

Supporting the AVID program

Fort Bend ISD’s AVID program is meant to serve a population of students that is often underserved—the academic middle.

The VI Scholars program is unique in that it does not include the ACT or SAT in its evaluations because they leave out a large portion of high-potential students. The VI Foundation partners with Fort Bend ISD teachers to review essays and evaluate other criteria, which Wong says helps the organization create a profile of students that “more accurately reflects a student’s leadership potential.”

“This is a radical but sensible approach,” said Wong. “The VI Scholar program attempts to take a strong step forward in closing the opportunity gap.”

For her part, Flores said the AVID program was “life-changing.”

“Through this program I was introduced to the college experience at an early stage in my education,” she said. “Since I was a freshman I was able to go on tours to many different colleges around Texas and it allowed me to be more college-oriented and narrow down my list of colleges I wanted to go to. I learned about factors to look for such as class size, population, financial aid and many other things that helped me make a decision when I chose my desired college.”

Paola chose the University of Houston. She looks forward to the academic part of school, but is especially excited to make new connections.

“I am mostly excited about meeting new people!” she said. “I feel that because of COVID-19 this past year and a half, I have disconnected from the world. Attending a school with thousands of individuals and meeting those who share similar interests as me will be great!”

Continuing to support Fort Bend students

The group at the Vision Inspired Foundation is relatively young and are graduates of schools within Fort Bend County. Wong characterizes the group as working professionals in their twenties, with a few young families. The group is aiming high as it seeks to continue supporting high-potential students.

“We want to see students graduate college with a desire to have a positive impact on the world, but more importantly to discover themselves and what they ‘love to do,’” said Wong. “Future leaders of America are coming from Fort Bend ISD.”

Hannah Fawcett, a 2017 alum of Clements High School and VI Foundation member, said giving back to her home district has always been appealing and important to her, and the VI Foundation has been a great way of achieving that.

“As a former Clements Ranger, I knew I wanted to find some way to invest back into my community and school district that helped me excel in college and become the person I am today,” she said. “One thing I love about the VI Foundation is that we do more than just provide financial support to students; we provide students an opportunity to walk alongside a mentor during their college experience. I had the privilege of having some really impactful mentors in college and look forward to giving back by helping to invest in the next generation of future leaders.”

Paola is still undecided about the major she wishes to pursue, but she knows that with the guidance of people like Matthew and Hannah, she will be able to find an educational path in which she will be both successful and fulfilled.

“That is why I was so grateful when I was honored with the Vision Inspired Scholarship,” she said. “The talented mentors [of the Vision Inspired Foundation] will guide me and help me discover my passion.”

Congratulations and best of luck to Paola as she works to become yet another Fort Bend ISD alumni achieving great things in the world!