13-05-2025
East Texas Women: Tyler High School senior earns $100,000 scholarship
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Time and dedication can be worth it, at least that's what senior high school student Yoselin Bustamante said after she was named as a Terry Foundation Scholar.
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'I was just like, wait, wait, is this real?' Tyler High School senior and Terry Scholar, Yoselin Bustamante said. 'Am I dreaming? because it didn't settle in.'
It's a highly competitive full-ride scholarship award worth more than $100,000.
'That is such a big milestone for me because I would have never thought I could. I worked for it, but getting it, that's a whole different feeling,' Bustamante said.
This money will turn her dream into a reality, allowing her to start college as a first-generation student without the stress of student loans.
'I have already covered my four years' tuition, cost of living, the food, everything else,' Bustamante said. 'I am just so happy that I get the opportunity to live on my own without having to worry about money.'
Bustamante said she knew she wanted to pursue higher education starting her freshman year, and started speaking to her counselors about how to make it a reality.
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'She was one of my first juniors that came to see me,' Tyler High college and career counselor, Sheri Seckel, said. 'So she would jump right on everything, trying to get everything done.'
Bustamante spent her time researching college admissions and potential careers, so her school counselor said she wasn't surprised Yoselin was chosen for this award.
'Very intelligent, very well-spoken, very eager on leadership and doing things for her community,' Seckel said.
Now, Bustamante is packing her school bags for the last time before walking across the high school finish line. She will attend the University of North Texas in the fall where she'll work to become a licensed clinical social worker.
'That way I can become a counselor or I could become like specifically a therapist,' Bustamante said.
Bustamante said she wants her fellow students to know they should never stop fighting for their dreams.
'Don't give up. It's going to be so much hard work,' Bustamante said. 'But no one sees how hard you work until you're doing it, and I think that is very important for people to remember.'
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