OFA scholarship student Sean Hudson fills us in on his first few monts at the University of Alabama. The path is never easy but he’s determined and we’re giving Sean our support and encouragement. We hope you will too.

Greetings and ROLL TIDE!!

Well, we had our first wave of exams last week and it was very interesting. I will honestly admit that I was not prepared to take a college exam, but so far I think I did pretty well. I made a 77 on Biology exam and I will know my Spanish exam score on Wednesday. I have figured out that I must change the way I study because obviously my old methods are not working effectively as they use to. However, I am enjoying the new and innovative ways to study and process new information.

I do have some good news. I am a member of Freshman Forum. Freshman Forum is a freshman organization designed to help freshman students adjust to campus life by planning different activities. I am so happy to be a part of Freshman Forum because it allows me to step outside of my comfort zone and make some new friends in a whole new way. I am also a member of SGA now, but I doubt I will be participating in SGA this semester because I wish to get use to campus life first. Also, I am doing quite well in the Emerging Scholars Program. The Emerging Scholars Program is a freshman research group that helps freshmen become familiar with research by teaming up with a faculty member from within their major. So as you can see, I am very busy. My next goal is to try and become an Avanti. An Avanti is a spokesperson for the University of Alabama who help incoming freshmen adjust and become familiar with the university. I really pray that I become an Avanti.

I am also taking advantage of all the campus resources that are available. I am part of the Trio Program with the Student Support Services and basically what this program does is help first generation students (and low-income students) adjust to campus life through counseling and mentoring to make sure they succeed in class. I am so blessed to be a part of that program because I really need all the help I can get.

I will admit that the first month into school was not an easy one. It was getting tough and I almost wanted to quit. Of course everything felt so overwhelming and I did not know where I could turn to. Then it happens. My Independent Living Program (ILP) Coordinator called and left a inspiring voicemail. She basically reminded me that I have the support of so many and especially God to help me succeed through my college career. She gave me the confidence I need to move forward and continue because I know that God is by my side! I do not know how I forgot that. I really do not. I mean I have OFA, my ILP Coordinator, and so many others that are behind me to make sure I succeed and now I am able to see it now.

I am truly falling in love with UA. The campus is so beautiful and enchanting, especially at night. On game days, there is so much school spirit that I have never seen before. I am finally able to see what it means say ROLL TIDE!!! It is that everlasting spirit that floats through the atmosphere. All the people that are here to help me, all the friends I can make….the possibilities are endless. I cannot wait to see what my future holds at the university!

So, I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Thank you for being there for me and showing me you everlasting kindness without any hesitation. Thank for helping me get the resources that I need and thank for just being you; my support system. I know with you behind my back, I can succeed in college. I love OFA for that and you have my deepest gratitude!! I will keep you posted, as always, on my success on campus. If I need anything I will be sure to ask you.

–
Sean L. Hudson
Bama~~Freshman
D.R.E.A.M. Council President
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

There are MANY students like Sean who have unmet needs and emergency expenses. OFA created the Red Scarf Fund to be there in their time of need. The RED SCARF FUND FOR FOSTER YOUTH provides emergency aid because life happens and foster youth don’t have the safety net most people call ‘family.’

Red Scarf aid has paid for:

· medical bills

· eyeglasses

· musical instrument repairs

· new tires to pass inspection

· and sadly, funeral expenses

All the things a traditional scholarship fund doesn’t cover, all the things a parent would – our young people count on the Red Scarf Fund to help them. 100% of every donation goes directly to helping our students. You can help now.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 8:46 pm by and is filed under A Foster Care to Success Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.