The Balkhi Foundation is pleased to announce the graduation of Chhun Hong and Jennifer Vasquez Gonzalez, two of our first Balkhi Foundation Scholar Alumni! The inaugural class of Balkhi Foundation Scholars was announced in Spring of 2019 with the ten outstanding high school seniors. These students demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and involvement in their community despite the many obstacles in their way.
The 2019 cohort of scholars was uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many to return home or to shelter at university during their second semester. They have each persisted and demonstrated the amazing power of their drive to learn and grow as students and young people.
Building on their numerous college credit experiences in high school, two of our scholars are celebrating graduation from their chosen universities a full semester prior to many of their classmates. We at the Balkhi Foundation are proud of their continued hard work and celebrate them as they progress towards the next step in their chosen fields.
The Graduates
Chhun Hong, whom graduated Summa Cum Laude with an International Baccalaureate Diploma from Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Chhun pursued a variety of engineering disciplines at the University of Texas and was an active participant in Engineers for a Sustainable World and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Jennifer Vasquez Gonzalez was selected as a Balkhi Foundation Scholar prior to graduating John I Leonard High School in Greenacres, Florida as an Outstanding Cambridge Learner and Most Outstanding Senior in Science. Jennifer with honors from the University of Florida with a double major in Biology and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Jennifer dedicated much of her time during college to community service and served both as officers in student organizations and as a teaching assistant in multiple classes across both of her major areas of study.
As Chhun and Jennifer dedicate themselves to the next stages in their careers, the Balkhi Foundation is proud to have played a part in the education of these talented scholars. You can learn more about Chhun and Jennifer and their upcoming plans on our Scholar Alumni page.
How Can you Help?
The Balkhi Foundation was created to level the playing field through education by assisting talented young people like Jennifer and Chhun in attending college. The Balkhi Foundation has committed to funding ten students within each incoming class for four years of undergraduate study. You can help expand this effort by funding additional scholars or contributing towards the enrichment of our future scholars with your donation today.
