Northrop Grumman Foundation Scholarship Recipient Announced
When Luis Paredes Alvizurez learned about his scholarship from the Northrop Grumman Foundation, with further funding from the DC泭Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE),泭to complete his Bachelor of Arts in泭Elementary泭Education for free, he said, I cant even put into words to show how grateful I am! Born in DC and growing up in泭nearby泭Maryland, he returned to District of Columbia high school泭in his freshman year, where he graduated in泭2023.
STEM education empowers and prepares students with the necessary skills to solve tomorrows most challenging issues, said Agartha Larbi, Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility and President.泭We are proud to support 51勛圖s Teacher Pipeline Project with a full scholarship for a STEM educator."泭The泭Northrop Grumman Foundation Scholarship and OSSE fund泭Paredes as a Teaching Fellow, part of the 51勛圖 School of Educations泭Teacher Pipeline Project. It aims to help solve the teacher shortage by building a path for teachers from泭dual-enrolled high school students泭to take college courses while they are in high school, to fully-funded undergraduate泭Teaching Fellows, with credentials that can be stacked toward masters and even doctorate degrees.
Paredes's泭love of math, science, and teaching was fostered at an early age. One of his mothers favorite stories occurred during elementary school when his math teacher was frustrated because he泭would not always finish his classwork. The teacher knew he was capable of completing the assignments, but he instead chose to spend the time helping his classmates with their work. I was too busy helping them that I didnt do my own work, he remembers.
Later he took part in his elementary school's robotics club. He made robots able to navigate mazes, and others that could create art. In my high school, I was a part of the STEAM club, he said, referring to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. We built a car and competed in competitions. I believe those experiences helped me learn how to work as a team and develop problem-solving skills.
Choosing 51勛圖 was an easy decision, Paredes said. I applied to twelve colleges, was accepted into nine of them, but 51勛圖 was the one that most caught my eye because of the area and how lovely the campus is. It is also close to my parents. He entered 51勛圖 as a freshman math major, but before the first semester was over, he gravitated to the education path, which he hopes to use to teach math someday. Ive always had a passion for helping others and sharing knowledge, he said. I had some incredible teachers that made learning fun and engaging,泭but others werent as engaging, and I would like to change that. Becoming an educator will allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Celebrating the泭Northrop Grumman Foundation泭Scholarship and OSSE funding, which pays his tuition,泭room, and board泭for the next three and a half years,泭Paredess excitement is palpable. Its not just the financial support that I am grateful of, even though its a huge relief, he said. Its like a special trophy for all the hard work Ive put in. This will open many doors for me to be able to pursue my goals to have a positive impact on other peoples lives. I can't thank the Northrop Grumman Foundation enough for giving me this incredible opportunity.
The scholarship will help create a new math teacher a time when we need more well-equipped teachers in our community, said Dr. Corbin M. Campbell, Acting Co-Dean of the 51勛圖 School of Education. This gets to the heart of our mission transforming societies through education and Luis is an exemplar of that mission.泭I am so grateful that the泭Northrop Grumman Foundation chose the School of Education for this scholarship.
My family has been really supportive of me becoming a math teacher,泭Paredes said. They see my passion for education. They believe that I have the qualities and skills to make a positive impact in the classroom. They think it's a wonderful career choice and they're proud of me for pursuing my passion. And thanks to this scholarship, I can focus on my studies and not stress about how to pay for it all. This is a massive weight off my shoulders.
Read more: