Green Mountain College: Tuition & Aid

Meet our Make A Difference Scholars

Green Mountain College offers an innovative, 4-year scholarship to students who have done something remarkable to improve their communities and the world around them. Followng are brief profiles of some of these young men and women.

Francis Demby, Dunwoody, Georgia
"I feel that everyone is my brother or sister and that we are supposed to help each other whenever we can."

Francis is a political asylee from Sierra Leone. He arrived in the United States at the height of the civil war in his native land, which cut short his education. When rebel forces attacked his city and drove him into a refugee camp, he saved the lives of three children (ages 2-5) whose parents were killed in front of them at the refugee camp. He fled with the children on foot and walked for five days before finding safety in a refugee camp in a neighboring country. He was relocated to the United States, but still keeps in contact with the boys he saved and sends them money and toys from the U.S. when possible. Francis is determined to make a difference as a peacemaker. While working full-time and in school, Francis finds time to go to schools and talk to young people about peace and conflict resolution. He is eager to pursue a degree in psychology and work toward a career in conflict resolution.

Peter Kon Dut, Overland Park, Kansas
"When I arrived in America, I saw that I could start to plan for tomorrow; I would be able to be something in the future and help my people and myself."

Peter Kon Dut was among the 20,000 Sudanese children orphaned during Africa's longest war. His life was chronicled in the PBS documentary, "Lost Boys of Sudan," and he has faced this incredible adversity with a fierce determination to improve himself and the lives of his fellow countrymen who have suffered so greatly during the years of war. After ten years in a Kenyan refugee camp, Peter was relocated to the United States, where he faced a different set of challenges in adapting to a new culture. Characteristically, Peter has risen to the challenges and is determined to pursue his education as far as he can. Although Peter did not find it easy to have his life shared so publicly through the film, he began to realize that he could make a real difference for his fellow Sudanese by speaking out, conducting press interviews, and attending community screenings of the movie. He has also accompanied the filmmakers to screenings for government officials, including the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the State Department's Refugee Bureau.

Beatriz Gomez, Montpelier, Vermont
"I've tried to make a difference by helping my friends understand that it is important to live every day to its fullest."

Beatriz Gomez is still surprised by the impact she has had on Montpelier, Vermont kids as an instructor for their after-school programs. She's taught them Spanish and Mexican cooking, but most importantly, has been a friend and mentor. "I had a girl come up to me on the street and tell me that she just had to go to Mexico because she wanted to be just like me," she says, blushing a bit. Beatriz moved from Mexico City to Montpelier, Vermont in 2002 to live with her brother, following the tragic deaths of both of her parents. The culture shock and sadness in her life have not slowed her desire to build and improve her community, though. She has volunteered to teach after-school Spanish at the local elementary school; she has been very active with bringing change and improvement to her high school including fundraising for a new green house; she has volunteered to teach Mexican cooking classes for after-school programs; and she has been employed as a Student Assistant for the Community Connections after school programs in Montpelier. She is also in the National Honor Society and was selected last year for a highly competitive national scholarship to do science research in the Virgin Islands through Earthwatch Institute. She wants to combine her interests in film and science to one day create documentary films that will both educate and entertain.

Kaitlyn Menyo, North Attleboro, Massachusetts
"I want to encourage others to care about nature as well; the only way to change anything is by taking a stand."

Kaitlyn Menyo has always participated actively in her community, but when she discovered she had a passion for environmental science, she knew that was to be her calling. Kaitlyn's environmental projects have become well-known in her community. She led an effort to start a recycling program at her high school, through which the school began recycling tons of paper each year that had previously been thrown away. In another project, her research on the water quality of a river in her home-town revealed that the water did not meet the state's standards for a class B river. Her research has prompted municipal officials to further investigate the water conditions. She is mentoring a small group of fourth-graders in environmental research in a vernal pool in the community and has helped spark their interest in the environment. The vernal pool project is part of a research course, through which Kaitlyn is gathering evidence to classify the vernal pools as wetlands, thereby ensuring the protection of these environmentally sensitive ecosystems into the future. She continues to receive awards and accolades for her efforts, but the awards are not what drives her to succeed. "My true passion in life is to do everything in my power to maintain and preserve our natural environment as well as the people who live in it," she says. Kaitlyn plans to major in environmental studies at Green Mountain.

Tibursious "Teep" Ssendawula, Wells, Vermont
"The most significant goal of my actions is to improve the lives of third world citizens through first world technology.

Tibursious Ssendawula, better known to his American friends as "Teep," is working to improve the lives of his fellow Ugandans through a program called Computers for Uganda. The project, founded by Teep's brother, seeks out computers from American high schools and businesses that are still usable, but being replaced with new computers. The computers are shipped to schools in Uganda, where Teep and others train students and community members on how to use them. He originally became involved in the project by helping his brother coordinate the mailings to solicit the computers from high schools and arrange the logistics of getting them back to Uganda. After a year of school in the U.S., Teep improved his own computer skills to the point that he could return to Uganda during the summer as a computer instructor. He has discovered that getting the computers and delivering them to Uganda is only half the battle. Arranging for training, education, community outreach, and correcting misperceptions about computers are all part of the project as well. Teep feels strongly about the need for his country to have exposure and experience with computers - "a bridge to the future" for young people and a chance for older people to "become young once again and enjoy the new technology." Among the many benefits the computers provide, according to Teep, is the improved ease for teaching and learning English. He has also noticed that many students who had never gone to school or who had dropped out have now returned to school because they are excited to learn about computers. Teep notes that Computers for Uganda has created a powerful cultural exchange that goes both ways. The Americans who have helped out with the project have benefited from their greater understanding of Ugandan culture and the conditions in which people live. At his current high school, Teep has organized the donation of 30 computers that will be delivered by students, teachers, and volunteers from the high school. Teep is undecided on his college major, but is considering studying business.

Shawn Henry, East Flatbush, New York
"It's up to you to better your community and yourself: to create opportunities where there is no opportunity. Believe you have the power to change your community and change your world."

Shawn Henry is justifiably proud of the beautiful community garden he created out of a neglected, drug infested inner-city park. But perhaps the most important work of the non-profit group he founded, called "Garden Angels," in the positive impact his organization has had on the lives of young people in his East Flatbush, NY neighborhood. Garden Angels encourages kids in East Flatbush to design and carry out community service projects, develop leadership skills, and fulfill their potential as they make a positive difference in the community. For his accomplishments, Shawn has earned an impressive list of honors, including being an honoree at the presidential inauguration's "America's Future Rocks Today," the 2004 Fleet Bank Youth Entrepreneur of the year, the 2004 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, and winner of the national Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. While Shawn is certainly grateful for all the recognition, he doesn't lose sight of what the project is all about. "The greater change is within," he says, "because the young people are refusing to fill their lives with the ugliness and violence of gangs and crime. These young people are like seeds growing just beneath the soil. There is internal change going on in their minds and hearts, and soon, they will push through the ground with beauty and strength." Shawn is looking toward earning a degree in business that will help him further manage his ground-breaking organization back home.

Laura Maki, Claremont, NH
Having completed over 658 hours of service while still in high school, Laura is extremely devoted and passionate when it comes to volunteering. Winner of the 2004 President's Volunteer Service award, one of her proudest accomplishments is the Red Elephant Café; a café intended to break down the barriers between adults and teenagers, a café that provides quality educational and recreational things for teens to do. The Red Elephant Café has been recognized by Main Street New Hampshire for best public/private partnership. Strongly dedicated to the environment, Laura has traveled to Utah and Alaska with the Student Conservation Association and worked on restoration projects. She has competed in the NH Envirothon Aquatics Study, is active in her school's Soil's Club, and started an Animal Rights Club at her high school.

Dusan Vuksanovic, Belgrade, Serbia
"I help people in every possible way I can, whether with a piece of advice or by tutoring or by donating blood. My motto is 'A smile is sometimes more valuable than all the money in the world.'"

For the past year, Dule, as he prefers to be called, has been volunteering at the Academic Institute that was set up by the US State Department in Belgrade. He excels in English and tutors other students younger and older in writing and language mechanics that are applying to college in the United States. Dule really showed his leadership skills when his community was in trouble. A power plant was blown up in the war of the 90's, three blocks from his home. He lived in a bomb shelter with 200 of his neighbors and family members, where he helped take care of the youths and cooked meals for them. He was an inspirational figure the community could look to during a time of great tragedy.

Wai Phyo Myint, Yangon, Myanmar
Wai is a 25 year-old student in the Pre-Collegiate Program at the Diplomatic School of Yangon. She has been a leader in several communities in Myanmar, most notably through her work as a volunteer teacher at monastic schools in the Monywe and Bonmanoe villages. Monastic schools provide education to children from impoverished families unable to afford public school fees. She has also organized charity drives and fundraisers for the schools and the village libraries. Wai became the youngest reporter for the Myanmar Times upon her graduation from 10th grade. Wai intends to study Communications/Journalism while at GMC, and return to Myanmar to continue to help her country upon graduation.

Olesea Cojohari, Balti, Moldova
Olesea is first in her class at “Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum in Baltsy, Moldova. She has made a difference in her community by organizing an annual fundraiser for former teachers in Moldova, since the pension is not enough to cover their expenses. The fundraiser has continued since Olesea’s freshman year at her current school. Olesea has also volunteered with the New Perspectives for Women project, where she prepared materials for seminars, distributed information, and aided with organizational tasks. She has participated in various other volunteer projects, through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and Indian Springs School. Olesea intends to study Psychology at GMC.

Jose Galvez-Contreras, La Ceiba, Honduras
José Tulio Gálvez Contreras is a nineteen-year-old freshman at Green Mountain College. Since grade school he has been involved in a number of activities in his school and community. Since the seventh grade, Jose Tulio has been involved in student government- he was vice president for two years and president for one. He was also the senior class valedictorian and president, and member of Palmeras Bilingual School Honor Society. He has participated in the Honduran Math Olympics, and as a member of the knowledge bowl team. He was involved in the ABSH Model United Nation as a delegate and chair. He has volunteered in local political campaigns, in social services, as a translator for medical brigades, and as an English teacher for 6th grade students. He is also involved with a Catholic youth movement that is aimed at getting teenagers off the streets. The focus is on redirecting the youth's attention from drugs and alcohol to something more constructive through meetings with psychologists, teachers, and priests. Jose was an active volunteer at the public hospital and retirement home. He has organized toy and clothing drives, and proposed a new play area and cafeteria for children in the hospital. Outside of school, José Tulio took classes in the martial arts, and represented his country at the Pan-American Taekwondo Games in Guatemala (2006).

Because of his enthusiasm, persistence, task-orientation, and ambition, José Tulio Gálvez was selected among many young leaders around the world as a "Presidential Classroom Scholar - February 18-24, 2007 Session." He represented his school, community, city, and country with honor and pride.

José Tulio can be defined as a leader who is aware of himself when leading and learning about his mistakes and successes. He has three defined goals: constantly getting better at being a leader, striving for excellence in whatever he is doing, and trying to make his country a much better place; his first two goals will ensure that his third one will always be done well.