Stephanie Tran

Franklin High School Academy of Finance ‘10

 

Seattle, WA

Scholarship won: NAF Internship Stories Scholarship

What the scholarship meant to me: The scholarship has meant a lot especially because I didn't think that I'd win. I'm a first generation American and the first to go to college in my family. My parents weren't blessed with chances that I've had and aren't in a position to financially support me when it comes to my education. Thus, I really had to depend on and hope to obtain enough financial aid and scholarship money to attend college in general. Winning the NAF scholarship has definitely contributed to cutting down costs and has taken stress off of my family's shoulders. Looking back, I truly am thankful for the opportunities that the Academy of Finance (esp. Joanne Patrick) gave me. Being a part of the program shaped my high school experience and I grew as a person because of it.

What I am up to now: I spent the summer of my senior year doing a program known as Upward Bound Bridge. The purpose of the program was to help me with my transition to college.  Now, I just started my Freshman year at the University of Washington- Seattle campus and I intend to double major in Communications and Business Administration. Ironically, today (November 3, 2010) I'm attending the NAF/ Academy of Finance Career Conference as a UW Freshman Panelist. The conference is being help in downtown Seattle at K&L Gates, which is where I had my internship. My main reason for attending is to speak to juniors and seniors about the college application process and to give tips- advice that I'd wish I knew when I was applying. In a way, I feel like I've gone full circle in the Academy of Finance.

Internship: K.L. Gates LLP Human Resources