The Erica Gwen Foundation is pleased to announce Yaquelin Ayala as the recipient of the Erica Gwen Scholarship at Miami University

Learn more about Yaquelin through her story:

First and foremost, I just want to say how thankful and grateful I am for this amazing and unique opportunity you and your family have given me. I cannot thank you enough. I am not just saying thank you for the major financial help you have given me which will help my academic studies even further. Your dedication to Erica’s memory is inspiring. I am honored to receive this scholarship and be part of her legacy.

I spent a lot of time reading about Erica’s story. I can tell she is a very warm and loving soul, and I wish I had been given the chance to meet her. This scholarship has reminded me of the importance of making changes across college campuses and universities. I am drawn to my major to help people overcome challenges like this, hence, why I am working on my Bachelors in Social Psychology with a minor in Medical Sociology. I understand and have seen with my very own eyes just how the world is not always the kindest and I want to work towards a warmer, more ethical society. I know that Erica would have done the same, and, indeed, her legacy will live on in this scholarship and all the things you and your family are doing to keep her memory alive. With the help of this scholarship I can further my education and aid in this vision for a better society one step at a time. 

Again, thank you not only for helping me achieve this dream of mine, but most importantly for opening my eyes to the more important things in life, such as family.  Thank you, I cannot express my gratitude enough for this opportunity.