In the last four and half years, I was accepted into a prestigious dual degree program which put me on an accelerated learning track and got me both my bachelor of science and master of science degrees in a record four and half years. Aside from pursuing a dual degree simultaneously, I took it a step further and decided to double-major in finance and accounting.
In the last four and a half years, I have also managed to get a full-time job at one of the most premier accounting firms in one of their most prestigious offices and divisions. I accepted my full-time job offer for employment after college almost an entire year before completing and receiving my degrees. I am currently in the process of getting professionally certified by my state’s board of accountancy.
In the last four and half years, I have also been on a mission-a mission to get justice from the Scholarship Office and Board. Four years ago, I brought to light the fallacies of their decision-making process which resulted in an injustice committed against me and my peers. I took them to the Superior Court, and I took them to the Supreme Court.
Of all the challenges and hurdles that have come my way these last four and a half years, this by far has been the most difficult. The reason I say it is the most difficult is not because of the length of time it has taken to pursue or even the matters involved, but because of this board’s continued injustice no matter what the powers of justice (the courts) have declared. I am not sure if they are challenged in comprehending the court’s ruling or challenged in admitting the errors of their ways and the need and urgency to correct them.
What I am sure of, though, is that I did my part. I took you (the scholarship board) through the judicial process of proving that I was right — that the decision-making process was flawed and needed to be revised. I gave you the time to fight it in court — to prove to me that you were right. The decision has been reached. You were wrong. Accept it. Now, do your job. Do what is right.
At the end of the day, my mission was not about the money. As you can see, I made it very well through college and life so far without this honors scholarship. In fact, my scholarship award directly from my university was more than this honors scholarship. My mission was to make sure that every student, just like me, got justice when it came to the selection process — that they were rewarded based on their merits and based on the laws in place pertaining to the selection process.
We are approaching the five-year mark. I am not asking any of you to do me any favors. All I am asking for are two things. First, do your job. Second, do the right thing.
ROSELLE CALVO
New York, NY
