Alonso High School senior Keilly Pulgar has a lot to celebrate.
Pulgar is one of 14 finalists in Florida for a Take Stock in Children’s Leaders 4 Life Fellowship, which recognizes leadership skills, moral character and academic success.
The Hillsborough Education Foundation surprised Pulgar with the announcement during class Friday morning.
“It was a great opportunity," she said. "It was a lot of tough work and stress as well, but it was so worth it because I’ll be able to go to college and pay for college."
Pulgar was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February 2011. She underwent chemotherapy for 2 1/2 years until doctors declared her cancer free in June 2013.
In her application essay to the Leaders for Life program, Pulgar wrote, “My two and a half year treatment for Leukemia marks a special stage in my life that has shaped me into the passionate and ambitious individual I am today. Having not faced these hardships, I would have never unveiled my desire to help and empower those facing similar obstacles, and I certainly would not have challenged myself to do my best in order to fulfill my dreams.”
The scholarship finalists received a new Macintosh laptop computer and are required to submit a video essay that will be reviewed by a state selection committee. Six of the 14 finalists will ultimately be awarded a Leaders 4 Life Fellowship, a $40,000 scholarship, and be recognized at Take Stock in Children’s annual State Leadership Conference slated for Feb. 10 in Tallahassee.
“I’m really excited for what the future holds for me,” said Pulgar.
In addition to leadership training and professional development, Leaders 4 Life recipients who attend four-year public universities in Florida will also receive up to $10,000 annually to cover the costs of housing, food, textbooks, supplies, transportation and other college-related expenses.
Pulgar plans to use her scholarship to become a pediatric oncologist.