Page 4 - Impact Fall 2021

COURTESY PHOTOS
Hilariia Ponce is a driven young leader with the ambition of lifelong learning. In high school, she loved being busy and involved
in many activities. As an FFA vice president; dedicated student; avid volunteer in the community; student athlete; manager for two high school sports teams; participant in multiple clubs and holder of a part-time job, she was committed to growing her own skills while contributing to the growth of those around her.
Based on this description, it’s easy to make the assumption that Ponce would automatically attend the college of her choice. In actuality, however, the idea of going to college did not always seem feasible.
“I grew up as a struggling minority with a single parent who was raising six children,” said Ponce, a CFANS first-year student with a double major in Agricultural Education and Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management. “Being the last child, I struggled to look at college as an opportunity due to our funds until my junior year when I joined FFA,” she said.
FFA was new to her school, Ponce explains, and she became a committed leading officer, helping to elect chapter and region officers. She also competed in floriculture, poultry, and prepared public speaking, in which she was named section champion for her speech about diversity and inclusion in FFA.
At CFANS, Ponce is especially looking forward to the long-lasting relationships she’ll form
here. “It is so heartening to receive a gift from a generous donor that allows a student like me to get a better opportunity at college,” she said. “I can’t wait for what CFANS will teach me, and
that wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic donors.” Ponce is the recipient of a Cargill THRIVE Program scholarship and the W. Forrest Bear Agriculture Education Endowed Fund.
Scholarships, fellowships
foster the future
PONCE WAS AN FFA OFFICER AND INVOLVED IN MANY HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.