Perdue scholarship awarded to Jezzelle Repalbor of Georgetown
Jezzelle Repalbor, daughter of Jesselyn Hare of Georgetown, was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms.
She received one of 15 scholarships given this year to children of Perdue associates and independent contract farmers. Winners were selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Although Repalbor is still undecided on her major, she will complete the prerequisites required for medical school while attending Dickinson College. She graduated from Sussex Academy with a weighted grade point average of 4.5 and served as her school’s Technology Student Association president.
“As a young girl who grew up in the Philippines, I had witnessed families living on the streets with children unable to go to school,” said Repalbor. “I moved to America at a young age. I find myself in a position where I can pursue higher education, and I have made a promise to myself to help those in need.”
Education is not free in the Philippines, she said. Children who cannot afford to go to school simply do not attend. There are no school buses, no free lunches and no foundations to help them continue their education.
Repalbor said she hopes to receive a degree that will push her toward medical school. “I would like a degree that will allow me to research poverty in Third World countries. I want to create programs for children who cannot afford to enroll in school, and I would like to help fund school improvement,” said Repalbor.
“In the nine years I have lived in America, I have learned a new language, adapted to a new culture, and completed high school. I know that 10 years from now I will have accomplished so much more,” Repalbor added.
