2021
Suva Mendoza
"I can honestly say that this scholarship is my proudest award as I hold the weight of it in my heart. I cannot express enough the gratitude I have to be a recipient of the Joseph P. Veasey Award in Architecture. First, let me introduce myself...I am a non-traditional Interior Design student in my third-year. I had actually earned a BFA in Fashion Design and worked in NYC for some time before having to move around due to my husband being in the military. I have two children (ages 4 and 8). Last semester was one of the most challenging semesters of my life as my husband was deployed, my daughter was doing school virtually and my son has special needs. Trying to navigate them to adjust to life without their father for 7 months, while being a full-time Interior Design student was challenging. However after our professors introduced the Joseph P. Veasey Award to me, I was immediately touched by the optimism and passion Joe lived. With that, I would like you to know that while this award has benefited me in obvious ways (helping me further my education), I have been using the meaning of this award in every one of my classes. As a recipient of this award, I am committed to making a conscious effort to implement the spirit of this award and everything Joe stood for to be optimistic, kind, helpful, and to always give my all, with passion. This is the key reason why this award is so valuable to me and how I have excelled in my educational career. As a mother, I want you to know that honoring your son and the integrity of this award will remain my priority in my everyday life. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Joe's life. With extreme gratitude (more than I can express), thank you. I hope I can express the beautiful ways this award has impacted my life."
