Special thanks to college graduate and Selby Scholar Alumnus Hà Nguyễn for her perspectives about serving on the Selby Scholarship Selection Committee in April/May 2024.
It all started with a warm and welcoming voicemail offering me the opportunity to serve on the Scholarship Selection Committee from Selby’s Manager, Kiarra Womack.
“We cannot think of a better person than you,” is not a phrase I hear every day.
The memory of my Selby Scholar interview in 2018 was still fresh in my mind, and the annual Selby Symposium was only recently an event of my past. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to support a Foundation that made my attendance at the University of Florida, and all the privileges that come with it, a financial possibility.
As a former Selby Scholar, returning to the Foundation on the other side of the table, as a decision-maker so soon after my own college graduation, was incredibly humbling. To even be offered a seat at the table is something I am incredibly grateful for.
Throughout the process of analyzing these students’ applications and sitting with their life stories, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of awe and hope at the incredible talent that exists in Selby’s scope of influence.
My hope in this youth was only magnified as I had the privilege to listen to their thoughts and insights about the world during their in-person interviews. It was such a gift to be in the presence of so many young individuals who radiated this energy of genuine goodness. From writing their own screenplays to starting their own local businesses among other achievements, it was heartwarming to witness how dedicated these students are to serving their communities and creating a better world for everyone.
During the process, collaborating with my fellow committee members was wonderful because everybody’s individual voice was celebrated and cherished. Each committee member offered a unique and valuable perspective that was informed by different points of knowledge and experiences.
It was an honor to be able to offer my distinct perspective as a Selby Scholar alum, recent graduate, and member of a marginalized community, and to feel that my perspective was valued and heard. Serving on the Committee was a delightful and meaningful experience for me that reminded me of where I come from, who I really aim to serve, and where I want to go from here.
The Selby Foundation sincerely thanks Ha for her time and dedication to this process. As a Selby Scholar Alumnus, her participation supported the Committee in ways that reflected the lived experiences of a recent graduate.