Theresa Medrano, '16

At age 17, like most high school seniors, Medrano should have been thinking about senior prom and graduation. But she became a victim of domestic violence and was forced to withdraw from high school.

Instead of planning the next chapter of her life, she suddenly found herself homeless. Still, she found the strength to remain hopeful, and today she’s a full-time student, on track to graduate.

Although she spends much of her week working, Medrano is also an executive board member of FLASHanthropy, a student organization 
of dedicated students at Kent State committed to raising awareness of philanthropy and the importance of giving back to Kent State undergraduate students. She was also the recipient of the organization’s Pay it Flash Forward Scholarship.

“I know how important financial assistance is for me,” she said. “It’s a big reason why I’m able to be here at Kent State today.”

Though she has come a long way already, Medrano continues to work hard to achieve her dreams. She hopes to establish a career working in nursing home administration to improve the quality of life for senior citizens under her care.

In the meantime, she is giving back to the Kent State community and helping her peers.

“I received help from other people along the way, so now I’m giving back and helping others,” Medrano said. “I want to share my story. I learned that you can do anything, even with a hard situation. I never thought I would be here and I’ll work hard to stay here. It pays off.”

As Theresa has learned, anything is possible. The support she has received has made a difference between a life of homelessness and a life that’s full of unlimited potential — a future that is hers to explore and shape and inhabit, thanks to generous people who have made her way possible.

Continue to the next page.