Josilyn Padilla of Stanton is a recipient of our 2019 Rae of Hope Character Scholarship of $1000. She plans on attending the University of Nebraska this fall. Josilyn was nominated by Beth Larson who is a family friend. Congratulations to Josilyn from all of us at McKenna's Rae of Hope Foundation. Thank you for being a Rae of Hope for those around you.
Here is what Beth wrote in her nomination:
Joey (Josilyn) came into our lives approximately three years ago. She was friends with my oldest daughter but also formed friendships with my three sons. At that time, I didn't know her story, but I could tell there was something extraordinary about her. Joey had a chaotic and dysfunctional upbringing, to say the least. She had never met her father and her mother suffered from addiction. Joey and her siblings moved often and were, at times, placed in incredibly traumatic situations. She suffered abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Joey and her sisters eventually went to live with their grandparents, who have done the best they can to raise them. I could go on about the many adversities Joey has faced, but I want to tell you about this incredibly resilient, humble, charismatic, and kind young woman. Throughout Joey's life, school has been her refuge. She has immersed herself in school activities and built a positive and healthy community of relationships around herself. Joey is currently eighth in her class and she is in band, choir, jazz choir, national honor society, and track. She is the captain of the cheer team and has made it to State for three years in both FFA and cross country. Joey was voted by her peers as Homecoming Queen in 2018. There were so many kids who voted for Joey because she had been so kind to them and had treated them like they were someone special even when they didn't feel like it. Joey talks to everyone and she especially befriends those considered outcasts. My son had been being bullied and Joey not only stood up for him on multiple occasions but empowered him to never allow others to treat him poorly. Joey lost one of her best friends two years ago to suicide. She was incredibly devastated. Despite her pain, she, along with some of her classmates, organized a fundraiser for the family of her friend to help with funeral costs. Joey has done so much for our community as well. She has volunteered for many different fundraisers and community projects. Of course, you can always count on her to simply help out or spend time with children and the elderly. She is well known for just taking the time to talk to those who are sometimes forgotten. She has a way of making people feel special and important. Joey is also a generous young woman. She grew up in poverty and still does not have much, but for Christmas, she spent all the money she saved from her job to buy Christmas presents for her friends, family, and even our family. With all of the hardships Joey has had to overcome, you will not hear her complain or feel sorry for herself. She knows she wants a better life than what she had growing up and I promise you she has the determination and heart to create it.