SLM - Santa Fe High School Student Surprised With $25000 Scholarship From Sallie Mae

Jaivyance Gillard, a junior at Santa Fe High School, in Santa Fe, Texas, was surprised with a $25,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship from Sallie Mae. Jaivyance is one of nine scholarship recipients nationwide.

Bridging the Dream Scholarship nominations were submitted by school and community leaders to recognize high school juniors and seniors who excel in academics, athletics, community service, or school activities but may face personal or financial challenges when looking to fulfill their college dreams. Jaivyance was nominated by her high school principal, Rachel Harris.

“Jaivyance will do anything to help a classmate or a teacher,” said Harris. “She consistently puts others first, with an unwavering resolve to help everyone grow and succeed. To see her be rewarded for her selflessness is gratifying, and I know she’ll use this scholarship to help even more people.”

Jaivyance, a student at the time of the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in 2018, is a constant support system for her peers and the community. Jai aspires to carry out change in schools within the nation, by calling people to action, and thus bringing awareness to the effects of gun violence and school shootings.

Committed to helping those around her, Jaivyance volunteers at blood drives, has helped create trauma-oriented hotlines for school classrooms, helps the local library and food bank, and decorates pillows for victims of human trafficking. She’s also involved in school activities like freshmen orientation, the homecoming parade and carnival, and peer tutoring. Jaivyance is a Texas Youth Preparedness Council Member with the Texas School Safety Center, a Do Something Club Leader, Junior Representative in National Honor Society, Student Council Secretary, a Safe School Ambassador, and a Peer Assistance Leader.

“Jaivyance is a bright, motivated, and aspiring mind who has already developed a gift for empowering others,” said Sergio Gonzalez, director, Sallie Mae. “We’re thrilled to equip her with the necessary resources to further her talent and passions, and we’re confident that she will go on to inspire many others, just as she’s inspired us.”

Since 2016, Sallie Mae has awarded $560,000 in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students through the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program. This year, $225,000 will be awarded, including $40,000 raised directly by employees.

For more information about Sallie Mae’s Bridging the Dream Scholarships, visit SallieMae.com/BridgingTheDream, or join the conversation by using #BridgingTheDream.

Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to help make college happen and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, possible. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

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