Each year, the Bridges Academy Endowed Scholarship produces two scholarships for undergraduate students. This scholarship is funded solely by attendees of the Bridges Academy Lecture Series.
My name is Osvaldo Miramontes and I am a third-year student double majoring in accounting and real estate. Growing up in San Diego, USD had always been on my radar, even more so when my older brother decided to go here. He went on to graduate cum laude in 2011 with a degree in business administration. When it came time to apply for colleges, USD was my number one choice because I had seen how much my brother enjoyed it. It was because of USD’s generous financial aid packages and scholarships like the Bridges Endowed Scholarship, that I was able to attend this fine institution.
Aside from allowing me to attend USD, this scholarship has provided me the opportunity to become more involved on campus. I currently serve as a student mentor for four first-year students and one transfer student through Student Support Services, a support program on campus for first-generation, low-income, underrepresented students, and students with disabilities. This role has been one of the highlights of my time here at USD because I have been able to give back to those that helped me in my first year. I was also a part of Student Support Services during my freshman year and my mentor was a huge help.
Aside from this, the scholarship has also provided me with the time to volunteer at the Barrio Logan College Institute, a 501c3 educational nonprofit. In this role, I help, mentor, and guide a group of young, male, Latino students through the difficulties of coming from a low-income, first-generation background. I was also a student in this program, so I am very fortunate to be in a position where I can come back and help the next generation.
Lastly, this scholarship has allowed me to go through accounting internship recruiting without having to worry about missing work. Through this process, I was able to receive three internship offers and I have accepted to work at Grant Thornton LLP as a Summer Audit Intern. I am excited because this opportunity could lead to a full-time offer and I could easily see myself working at this firm upon graduation. Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to work towards my goals and make both my family and community proud. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and would like to thank you for having faith in me.
I have moved many times in my life, but I am originally from California and spent most of my life in San Diego. I attended the San Diego High School of International Studies and I applied to USD, UC Davis, SDSU, UCSD, CSU Monterey Bay, Stanford and UCLA. I chose USD because it had the best location and I knew a professor in the music department, my major. I also received a good amount of financial aid.
My experience here at USD has been welcoming, supportive, and inspiring. I was able to help establish the first Latina sorority on campus, Alpha Pi Sigma. I joined many musical ensembles and was actively involved in the Student Support Services. I was also involved with Torero Renaissance Scholars, a group that helps students who were in foster care or were homeless. Lastly, I had the opportunity to get involved with many organizations outside of USD such as Songs for Shelter, Resounding Joy, and Music for Peace SD. I also perform in a duo called The Bohemians.
I am majoring in music and minoring in business. After graduating from USD, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in music therapy at either Colorado State University or Arizona State University. Later, I plan to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a music therapist.
Scholarships and grants have made my education a possibility. They have had an enormous impact because I am paying for college alone without parental assistance, as I became independent and homeless at 14. Now as a senior, I am also supporting my one and a half year old son.
I want to thank the donors of the Bridges Endowed Scholarship for your generous gift and your help in paying for my education and my future. I am thankful that you chose to invest in me and I appreciate all that you do!