b'www.MARSHALL.EDU/FOUNDATIONSculpting an Education I chose to attend Marshall University because I wasnt really sureserious it was. She remained so what I wanted to do when I started college and thought it wasstrong during this period it didnt best to stay close to home until I figured it out. After some trial andoccur to me she was so ill. error with figuring myself out, I came to find that Marshall wasHowever, a few years later we always the right fit for me, said Alex Simental, a Huntington, Westrejoiced her being completely Virginia, native.cancer free. Throughout my life, I have watched my mother A senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual art with anbe so selfless. She has always emphasis in sculpture, Alex initially entered Marshall as a doubleput her family first and always major in art and science. After changing her science major multiplemakes sure every task she starts times and realizing that she was focusing more on art, she chose tois completed; sometimes you solely pursue an art degree.have to force her to stop a task and take a break because she Accepting this feeling was difficult because of the stigmais so persistent. She is so kind, surrounding art majors and their ultimate success beyond college.nurturing, patient, hardworking and helpful that I can only hope that However, Ive come to see that committing my success andpeople find me half as wonderful and inspiring as she is to me.passion has propelled me even further than I could imagine, Alex explained. Alex has also been inspired by the generosity of her scholarship donors, Sterling and Rosa Lee Hall. She is excited to learn more about other artists and their techniques to convey messages or solve technical problems in artwork. AlexScholarships, to me, mean that I dont have to worry about how believes increasing her knowledge in these areas will help her findmuch my school supplies will cost and shows me that someone was her personal style in the process. Her hope for her time at Marshallkind enough to recognize my achievements, she explained. is to gain as much knowledge as she can from each student and faculty member."Their scholarship has been life changing. When Crediting the helpful and supportive faculty in Marshalls artI found out that I received the scholarship, I was department as the best part of her program, Alex appreciates theabsolutely ecstatic and relieved. It allowed me time they spend teaching and inspiring students to do their bestto push back my time at work and bring forward while staying grounded. She cites the Visual Arts Center (VAC) andmy studies. I felt more motivated that someone Art Warehouse as her favorite places on campus, as she enjoys being surrounded by creativity to explore new ideas. Currently, Alexwas backing me and it inspired me to work even is focusing on her studio classes and spending time with her family.harder toward my goals. I cannot put into words She believes that her friends and family are her biggest supporterswhat this scholarship has done for me or thank because of the unique encouragement each provides. AlexMr. and Mrs. Hall enough.most aspires to be like her mother because she is hardworking, persistent and patient. Alex believes it is important for alumni to give back because the My mom moved to Huntington, West Virginia, from Mexico withsupport they provide students changes lives. By alleviating students\' my father and three older siblings one year before I was born.financial burden, they can focus more on their studies. She received two Bachelor of Science degrees as a nurses aidDuring my time at Marshall, I am most thankful for the scholarships and in biochemical engineering in Mexico, but then came hereI have received to attend college and provide other opportunities, without prior knowledge of English and completed two Master oflike visiting Italy and attending a workshop at Arrowmont School Science degrees in geobiophysical modeling and geography whileof Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, said Alex. These managing four small kids, said Alex. experiences have opened my eyes up to the possibilities of art as She gave each of us as much time and attention she could whilea career. Without these scholarships, I wouldnt have been able to learning to adjust to a new culture. By the time I was in middlegrow as much as I have as an artist or feel secure in completing my school she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given onlydegree. I can only hope that I have enough funds one day to give a few months to live. As I was young, I didnt understand theback to students and make a difference.complete magnitude of the situation and was not aware how'