Aurora University Coed Wins $10,000 Scholarship

AURORA, Ill, October 15, 2007—Amanda Gonzalez, an Aurora University student from Chicago, has won a $10,000 scholarship in an online essay contest.

Gonzalez, 20, a junior psychology major with a minor in special education major, was notified Tuesday (Oct. 9) that her essay was voted best of 10 entries in the competition. She was among 10 semifinalists announced in September.

Gonzalez received her prize at an awards luncheon Friday (Oct. 12). She said she plans to use some of her award to take one of AU's May 2008 overseas travel-study programs.

Runner-up authors each received $1,000 scholarships for use at a school of their choice.

Gonzalez earlier won two scholarships. They included a $1,000 AU award to study music and a $600 grant she won as a senior at Schurz High School in Chicago.

She works part-time in AU's Phillips Library as circulation desk assistant and a technical services assistant.

The contest, "Migente con Mente," was sponsored by DeVry University and Migente.com. Essays by semifinalists were 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, Fashion Loves You, Organized Action Council, Third City Epic, and homecoming court.

Gonzalez wrote in her untitled contest entry, "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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