Aurora University Coed Bids For $10,000 Scholarship

AURORA, Ill, September 27, 2007—Amanda Gonzalez, an Aurora University student from Chicago, is a semifinalist for a $10,000 scholarship in an online essay contest.

Gonzalez, a junior psychology major with a minor in special education major, is one of 10 semifinalists announced in August.

Nine finalists will each receive $1,000 and the essay with the highest rating wins the grand prize. Thursday, Sept. 26, is the deadline to vote.

The contest, "Migente con Mente," is sponsored by DeVry University and Migente.com. Essays by semifinalists are posted at www.migente.com.

Gonzalez is a member of the University Chorale, the Latin American Students Organization and the Psychology Club. Past activities include AU Students Association senator, pep squad, Activities Programming Board, Organized Action Council, Third City Epic, and homecoming court.

Gonzalez wrote in her application essay, "Being a strong, motivated Latina, education has been one of my firm beliefs and that it is the key to success.

"I have always participated in extracurricular activities that benefited me personally and educationally. Many of these programs, for instance, the government funded Trio Upward Bound program, helped me to become the intellectual lady that I am.

"My career goal is to work with special needs children, especially those who have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder). Many of our children today have been misdiagnosed and are being medicated for simply being children.

"My ultimate lifetime goal is to find a cure for children with ADHD so that they do not need to take medication," Gonzalez wrote.

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