Scholarship Program

Thank You Letters from Scholarship Recipients

Thanks for providing me with finances that will help further my education.
Ashley Alexander, New Iberia H A, 2010 Recipient

I would like to show my gratitude and gratefulness to the Louisiana Housing Council NAHRO for giving me the opportunity to receive this scholarship. Thank you and God bless you.
Tonyea McCaleb, East Baton Rouge Parish, 2010 Recipient

I really appreciate this very much! Thank you!
Kauhane Edwards, Mamou H A, 2009 – 4 year recipient

I truly appreciate the monetary blessing you have given me over the years. You will forever be thanked in my life and remembered in my accomplishments. Again I say thank you.
Ashley Jones, Cottonport H A, 2007 – 4 year recipient

Thank you very much for this opportunity in representing your agency.
Rochelle Terrebonne, LaFourche Parish, 2007 – 4 year recipient

Thank you so much for this scholarship.
Ngozi Asonye, Lafayette H A, 2010 Recipient

Thanks you so very much!!!
Tiffany Nicole Harris, DeRidder H A, 2008 – 4 year recipient

Thank you very much!
Kimberly Jamison, Housing Authority of Bossier City, 2010 recipient

Dear Louisiana Housing Council,

I am honored to be a recipient of the Louisiana Housing Council Scholarship. Your generous support of $700 is going to help me fulfill my life long dream of going to college.

I will be attending Xavier University of New Orleans in the fall of 2010. There I will work towards my bachelor’s degree in science.

My plans are to complete college as an undergraduate and then go on to medical school. Once I complete all necessary training, I would like to become an anesthesiologist in the United States
Air Force.

Thanks to your generous organization, my goals are now closer within my reach.

Sincerely,
Tiera Harris, Homer H A, 2010 Recipient

Dear Louisiana Housing Council,

My name is Kimberly Jamison and I am writing you this letter to thank you for providing me with the LHC Scholarship. With this scholarship I will begin the first step in preparing for my college career. I am also writing this letter to share with you and teenagers just like me, what I have experienced since graduating from high school. I graduated from Airline High School on May 22, 2010. On June 1, 2010, I took action on the biggest
decision I ever made in my life. I left home to join the U.S. Air Force.

My first obstacle in joining the Air Force was Basic Training. I went through Basic Training at Lackland AFB
in San Antonio, Texas. It was an intensive 81/2 week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force Core Values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. I did everything from learning how to roll shirts, to shooting an M- 16. During week one we learned about military skills. In week two we covered weapons handling and maintenance, integrated basic defense, tactical moving positions, and force
protection. Week three focused on self-aid buddy care. Week four we learned how to counter threats such as terrorism, biological and chemical weapons, security breaches and the obstacle course. In week five we were introduced to the code of conduct, combat arms training and maintenance, fighting with pugil sticks, basic leadership and mental preparation for combat.

I must say the most life changing experience I had during basic Training was BEAST week. Beast week is a mirror image of being deployed in the military. I had thoughts of being deployed but always felt somewhat afraid of being
deployed one day. I soon realized that it was what I signed up for. During beast week, we slept in tents with about 20 people. Our meals consisted of 2 MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat) for breakfast and lunch and a hot meal for dinner. Each day we were faced with a challenge that we had to face as a group. As an example, an air attack may have taken place; a person is injured, having certain symptoms, and as a group we had to figure out what to do to take care of our wingman and what we needed to do to take care of our camp. At times it was very hard for us because not only were we different we had to work during the hottest weather. Everyone was always grumpy and there was always an issue with someone. It was very tough but we learned to be tough and work together to get
through it. Basic taught me to take life more serious.

People just like me sacrifice their lives everyday for the freedom of our country and just knowing that makes me proud of who I am, where I live, and what I’m doing to help serve. Another thing I learned was to appreciate my family. I never missed them so much. I realized that there will be more day like those to come because this will be my future. My family helped me get through basic. There were many times where I wanted to give up but I didn’t. Whether it was a letter or a phone call it made the situation worth the challenge. It made me miss them even more
but we were constantly told to not focus on going home but to focus on what was going on in the present and to learn from it. My goal was always to serve and help those who were less fortunate than me but I never thought I would be serving in the U.S. military.

Now that I am here, I realized it was the best decision I ever made. I am now in tech school where I am learning the job I will be doing in the Air Force. My journey hasn’t been easy but has been a life changing experience that will help me be the proud airman that I am today. Once again thank you for all that you have done and to all the teenagers just like me, you can be whatever you want to be if you have the right mind set, positive support, and a positive attitude.

Kimberly Jamison

APPROACHING MY BIG DAY

Wow, where do I start?….
Because then and now seem so far apart
I still remember my first day
I was approaching life in a brand new way
I was so happy yet so confused
Felt as though this is only seen on the news
Im here, ready to begin working toward my career
Wondering will I make it thru my first year
So I get on the right foot straight from the beginning
Anxiously awaiting and trying to forecast the ending
I wasnt quite sure just how it would happen
But for me, it was like a dinner plate to a napkin
I got wit it and did my best
Not concerned about what was going on with the rest
First semester was a blast
How I still dwell on the fun and good times that went so fast
But sad as it was, it came to an end
Only to await my next semester and do it all over again
I received the honor list and boy, was I glad
This to me, was the biggest accomplishment I’d ever had
I packed and traveled home to enjoy the break
Only to realize other choices I had to make
Like a bridge over troubled water, it seemed like so much
And decision making was done in a rush
But I took it all one day at a time
Trying hard to not let these various endeavors take over my mind
Before I knew it the stress was done
Overwhelmed wit happiness, for this semester I had won
Second semester was quickly coming to light
Unfinished business that couldnt happen overnight
I dealt with losing a relative and very close friend
Everything I did, I did it for him
Although he wasnt here physically, he was greatly in my heart
Knowing that, I was off to an okay start
Second was something like the first
Classes were different and the wintry weather made it seem worse
My friends and foes were all still around
Which quickly eased my worry and my frown
As for school, it seemed as though I had lost concentration
My bills and problems had me in complete frustration
Sometimes I was there and other times I was not
Some understanding I lacked, other things I got

I managed to pull thru but it wasn’t as good as before
I was very disappointed for I had expected much more
I beat myself up and cussed myself out
Going out and drinking seemed to be what it was all about
My G.P.A. fell and so did my confidence
Where was this attitude coming from, it just didn make sense
No money, no friends, no time to ignore
I had to do better, get it together, because a lot was in store
I returned home and worked all summer long
Trying to find the place where I truly belonged
Living my life, as boring as it seemed
Everything was falling in place, so calm, so serene
I anticipated returning to college for my second year
Proving I could do a lot better was oh so dear
I set out and did everything I wanted to do for the summer
But the beginning of my sophomore year was a real bummer
Losing transportation within the first week of class
I was up to my head in heat, but really I felt lower than the grass
Not living on campus had its pro and cons
Cheaper rent yet no ride..walking where I had to go..felt like I was paying millions
But by and by, I managed with it and pulled thru
Losing some belief but keeping all faith made my wish come true
I lucked up and got a car, though not the best
It got me where I needed to go and relieved some stress
The rest of the semester ran smoothly, my focus was back
Working out had become a hobby so I lost cravings for snacks
Classes were going just great and class work was just fine
I decided I could pick up a job, the extra money would be right on time
I did it for a while and enjoyed the working experience
My teamwork was highly recommended yet my managers were so dense
With lack of communication and proper understanding I gladly quit
I had to care for my mother, who, at the time was very sick
To be by her side thru her illness was something I couldn’t resist
She made it thru and I thanked the LORD
There was nothing like seeing her once again walking thru the yard
Everything got better and soon I would have to return to school for my fourth semester
But the job I had gotten was paying me forty acres and a mule, it couldn’t get any better
Choosing between the two had me running around like a fool
Decision had me confused, but I thought I cant stop now
I only had two years left and quitting school would have me down
I got back on the ball and went back to it
I had managed to pick up a housecleaning job and there was so much fun to it
I gained their trust and they believed in me
Which furthered my belief in being all that I could be
That semester went great and I maintained keeping my grades up
With all the good things going on in my life, I was starting to believe it was pure luck

It was my faith and trust in CHRIST that had me living what I call the good life
Back home I go and in search of a job, hoping of finding one
I administered two places of work, only by the grace of God, his work was already done
I had in my mind a goal, something for me to receive
Working two jobs bettered my confidence of this goal being one I’d achieve
I wanted to save up some money to get me a new car
The one I had was good, but it could only get me so far
So I worked and worked, most times twice a day
Headed toward that goal, I was going to make a way
Each pay check I got, I put one hundred dollars away
I had set up a special savings account, this place I knew it would stay
I did this hard work for three months straight
The outcome to this challenge was better than great
I had shocked myself when I found out how much I had put aside
But was taken over with excitement for here comes my new ride
I was so tired of depending on others to help me on my way
I had to find something that would work for me and it had to be today
I looked and looked until I found something I was comfortable in
I went to the bank and brought them my money and they gladly cashed it in
Getting ready to go to work I received a phone call to come and get my car
I was in a rush to get there and that day Marksville seemed so far
Made to the car lot, picked it up and off to work I went
Proud of myself for the accomplishment I had made and the money I had well spent
Continued to stick wit it until the summer was over
Then I packed it up and headed back to my crib until break in October
Everyone was shocked to see me in my brand new ride
They acted as though when I said I was getting another car I had lied
But it didn’t matter because I set out to do just what I wanted
And this achievement of mine was something to be flaunted
This was my junior year and I had already made major changes
But even wit these changes, my feelings were some of the strangest
I am so very close to completing another one of my life’s goals
Brought to tears as all of this has taken a toll
Pulling myself together I am reminded that it isn’t over until it’s over
Feels like I’m in sky high grass with only a push mower
The semester goes as well as expected and classes are a breeze
Who would have ever thought I would pass these with such ease
I return home during the holidays to visit my family and share in their ways
Christmas was a lot smoother this time around, no hospital stays
Before long, it is time to head back to my home
After only a few days at home, I’m thinking where has the time gone
I find a new place of business opening up where I am located
I fill out the simple application, but I forget to date it
I am shocked by all means when I receive a call for an interview
Like this was shocking to you too read, it was shocking to me too
Lil Ceasars was the name of the business and I had got the job

I let my work speak for itself, my talents couldn’t be robbed
I enjoyed the work there, they allowed freedom of choice
Everyone had their input yet together we were one voice
My classes worked well with my job’s schedule and times
Getting paid 500 dollars biweekly was something I couldn’t have denied
Business Law and Marketing were classes in full attention
They were educating and very interesting not too much mention
Just to name a few all of them were knowledgeable and professors were too
I participated in each one of them rite down until the end
I had to stay on top of it, these grades were important, these professors weren’t my
friends
I managed to finish wit three B’s and two C’s and I was content
As long as my G.P.A. didn’t drop, it all made sense
I returned back to my hometown to work at both jobs again
Unfortunately these working days didn’t go as planned
My schedules seem to always be in conflict with one another
It is like now I have to choose one or the other
I don’t know what to do, so before I lose my head
I’ll return to my guaranteed work schedule at Lil Ceasars instead
I also have summer school as a very big option going on right now
I will have to pay out-of-pocket but that will be another class I have down
So basically I have written out to you almost every detail I can think of since last we met
If I remember correctly there is one thing I may have to regret
Not saying
THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart
You have done what you could for me and for that I have done my part
I appreciate the monetary blessings and confidence you have witnessed in me
That has done all great things and put a rise in my belief
That all things are possible if i just work toward it
Even if it is something I am not good at, I won’t quit
I will not become what others label me to be
But strive to be the best for myself and then they will see
It is not about what they believe or have to say
My concentration is on me and everything that leads to me approaching my big day

Ashley Jones, Cottonport HA, 2007 – 4 year Recipient