HAMMOND, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jenna Frezza, a senior at Oliver P. Morton High School, was surprised with a $25,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship from Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company. Frezza was greeted by Sallie Mae representatives during an assembly on college planning for more than 250 seniors. Principal Greg Easton, school counselor Gillian Barberich, who nominated Frezza for the scholarship, and college admissions representatives from Purdue Northwest and Indiana University Northwest were also on hand for the surprise announcement.
Frezza is one of seven $25,000 Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship recipients nationwide. The scholarship recognizes 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. Since 2016, Sallie Mae has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students through the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program. This year, $175,000 will be awarded, including more than $40,000 raised directly by employees.
“I want to better my future, and I know that college is a critical step in making that happen,” said Frezza. “This $25,000 scholarship from Sallie Mae is going to help me significantly, and I’m so grateful to my counselor, Mrs. Barberich, for taking the time to nominate me and for helping me on my path to graduation and beyond.”
Despite personal challenges, Frezza has excelled in academics and athletics and is active in the local community. She is a tutor and mentor for elementary school students, a member of the tennis team, and was selected to be a member of a pre-college summer program. Frezza balances these activities while working a part-time job.
“Through hard work and dedication, Jenna has turned the lemons of life into lemonade,” said Barberich. “Jenna always has a positive disposition, and I know the Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship will uplift her even more as she strives to reach her goals.”
“Jenna is truly an inspiration to all of us at Sallie Mae,” said Donette Cassman, director, Sallie Mae. “Her determination to improve her own life and the lives of others is exactly the reason the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program exists: to equip students with the tools they need to create the life they imagine.”
For more information about Sallie Mae’s Bridging the Dream Scholarships, visit SallieMae.com/BridgingTheDream, or join the conversation by using #BridgingTheDream.
For more information about saving, planning, and paying for college, visit SallieMae.com.
Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) is the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae offers products that promote responsible personal finance, including private education loans, free scholarship search tools, free college financial planning tools, and online retail banking. 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.
