Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIV, Issue I Spring 2020 | Page 25

HOLARSHIP
SPOTLIGHT:
KAITLYN MACLEAN
Edward K. Roberts/Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. Scholarship
Hometown: Spring Hill, FL
What influenced your decision to attend PHSC?
Several factors influenced me to attend PHSC including
the affordability. I also was undecided on a major.
Throughout high school, I heard all about PHSC and
thought it would be a great place to attend. In addition,
my brother excelled at PHSC and I wanted to do the
same.
What are you studying? I will receive my Associate in
Arts degree from PHSC. I began at PHSC as undecided,
but as I took more classes, I found that American Sign
Language is a big passion of mine. I will continue my
studies to become a sign language interpreter.
What is your fondest PHSC memory? There are so
many! I think my experiences in Student Government
Association (SGA) are the fondest memories. I made
many connections through SGA and had an enriching
experience. I felt extremely fortunate to be working with
people who have the same love for PHSC as I do.
Is there someone at PHSC that you admire and why?
I admire several people at PHSC. Julie Lovero, Spring
Hill Campus art instructor, was my first teacher at the
school. She is passionate about teaching and art. It
is infectious—you cannot help to feel the same way.
She was the reason I enjoyed coming to school every
day. I enrolled in every class she teaches. I also admire
Clara Capote, the Academic Success Center senior
office assistant. She is a great listener and kind, warm
person. Clara has become a second mother and I will
miss her. Additionally, Dr. Rao Musunuru is wonderful.
I have spoken with him many times and his passion for
the College radiates. Although he has accomplished so
much, he is extremely humble. Finally, Sam Eshelman,
Student Life and Leadership Coordinator, has been
influential for me. Sam initiated me to become involved
in SGA and Student Life. I will be forever grateful to him.
What did receiving this PHSC Foundation scholarship
mean to you? I was able to continue working on my
degree. I am attempting to take university prerequisites,
many offered at PHSC. Paying for college has been a
financial burden. I have always paid out-of-pocket for
school and could not afford it anymore. I was grateful to
learn I had received the PHSC Foundation scholarship. It
truly meant the world to me.
What does the future hold for you? This spring, I will
be attending the University of North Florida where I will
be studying Deaf Culture and American Sign Language
and English Interpretation. I hope to eventually sign for
musicals and plays.
Why do you think philanthropy matters? When you
give to a person in need, you are changing their life.
There was a story I read about a boy throwing starfish
into the ocean. A man approached him, questioning why
he was throwing the starfish. There were many, he could
not help them all. The boy told the man that, to that
one starfish, it did matter. Every time a philanthropist
donates, they are changing a life. One philanthropist
cannot change the world, but they can change
someone’s world.
Would you like to say anything to those who make
scholarship opportunities happen for the students
at PHSC? Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your
contributions matter to every person who benefits from
them. Remember that you are changing someone’s life
and providing him or her with a chance to be educated.
There is nothing stronger in the world than an education.
To support a deserving student, visit foundation.phsc.edu
SPRING 2020
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