Results tagged “inspiring”

Here's your heartwarming tale for today: The NY Times' article about its twelve NY Times Scholars for 2008. One, a 20-year-old who immigrated from China with her parents in 2007 (but her parents returned, because it was too tough), makes $560/month and pays $550 in rent, leaving $10/month, "which she spends carefully on large bags of rice, chicken leg quarters at 49 cents a pound, and whatever vegetables are cheapest." Thanks to "two free meals a day at school, a student MetroCard and the unexpected kind act— her English teacher, for instance, gave her $100," she manages—and has a 93 average at her high school. Another was inspired by his mother, who never completed middle school and has two cleaning jobs; he's first in his class and was accepted to U.Penn. The scholars "will receive $30,000 in aid for college, a laptop computer and a summer job at The Times, as well as access to a network of counselors and alumni who can provide advice and support in the years ahead." More information about the NY Times College Scholarship program here.

For a little inspiration, look no further than the Staten Island Advance's feature on 94-year-old Margaret Ricciardi. Ricciardi, who used to run the Ricciardi Shoe Service at the St. George Ferry Terminal with her late husband, has been taking one or two art classes every semester at the College of Staten Island since 1981 (she finished her B.S. in art at age 72). Oh, and, "She doesn't have time for much more, what with her frequent trips into Manhattan -- by way of Access-a-Ride -- to the theater, the opera, the museums." Ricciardi even took part in CSI's study-abroad program when she was 84! She's taking oil painting and sculpture this term and explains her drive, "I get up in the morning, I have a few aches and pains, but I tell myself -- and don't print this -- 'Get your butt out of bed and move.'"