Gabriela Cruz cried Thursday as she found out she won a full college scholarship and an extra $40,000 fellowship to cover any college-related expenses as she was recognized as one of six "Leaders 4 Life" in Florida. But you have to know Cruz's story to understand why she was so emotional.
"The situation we're in ... herself or myself could have gone the wrong way," said Julian Cruz, Gabriela's 21-year-old brother.
Just before Gabriela Cruz, 18, was ready to start high school in Marion County, when she found out her mother had terminal cancer. To make matters worse, the teenager's father was deported to Colombia on an expired work visa.
"My mom passing away and my dad not being here is the hardest thing I'll ever go through," Cruz said Thursday.
Before her mother's death, Cruz applied and was selected for the Take Stock In Children program, a nonprofit organization in Florida that provides "a unique opportunity for deserving, low-income youth/students, many from minority families, to escape the cycle of poverty through education," according to its website.
"What we do is take low-income, at-risk youth and provide them with scholarships, mentors and hope for a better life," said Meghan Magamoll, program manager for the Public Education Foundation of Marion County.
Cruz's mentor, Lori Lively, helped her to a 4.0 GPA. Her father was able to attend Thursday's ceremony via Skype.
"Gracias, papi, te quiero mucho," Cruz said to her father.
Cruz is an intern at the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. She also works nights, weekends and attends school. Thursday's ceremony was a surprise, and Cruz thought it was simply a staff meeting.
Cruz said she doesn't want to pursue a career in education. Instead, she plans to get her degree in biomedical science and hopes to be an oncologist so she can help other families as they go through what she went through with her mother.
The Leaders 4 Life Fellowship Program provides financial resources, services and support needed to ensure student success throughout college. The fellowship provides each student with a new Apple laptop, as well as funds for textbooks and supplies, housing, transportation, food and other expenses. The program enables students to excel in a university environment by giving them resources that empower them to develop their full potential as "leaders for life."
"This life-changing fellowship, generously provided by the Asofsky Family Foundation, is a phenomenal opportunity for (Cruz) to pursue her academic goals," said Judi Zanetti, executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. "By eliminating all financial concerns, (Cruz) can focus solely on her education and embrace the entire college experience."
Cruz said the fellowship is like "magic happening right before your eyes."
"I'm happy not (just) for myself, but for my parents because that’s all they ever wanted," she said. "My mom worked so hard for it, she ended up getting sick over it to give me a better future."
Lt. Cmdr. Steve Davis, Cruz's U.S. Navy ROTC instructor, said the teenager is the perfect person for the fellowship.
"I don't think they could have found a better person," Davis said.
Added Magamoll: "We could not be prouder of this young lady."
Cruz’s college choices include the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, Florida State University and the University of Chicago.