Immigrant teen gets scholarship

Daniels winner came from Africa when she was 2

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Ken Papaleo / The Rocky

Meron Fitsum, center, plays Connect Four with her sister Makda, left, and brother Hayelom in their Denver home on Tuesday. Meron Fitsum, an 18-year-old high school senior, is among a record number of Daniels Scholarship winners.

Meron Fitsum has a habit of coming right to the point.

When asked how she became one of the record number of 265 Daniels Scholarship winners awarded this week, the 18-year- old high school senior tells you the story - her story, the one that intersects with the American dream.

Her parents are from Ethiopia. Fitsum was born in Sudan.

"When I was 2, my family moved from Sudan to America as refugee immigrants, all in hopes of the American dream. Since then, we've come across lots of people willing to help us."

For the past four years, one of those people was Sherry Shepard, information technology director for the law firm of Holland & Hart. Shepard is a volunteer with Byrne Urban Scholars. They lined her up with Fitsum.

Although Fitsum was shy at first, the two bonded quickly over their mutual love of dance, including taking classes in hip-hop dance at the Cleo Parker Robinson studio.

"This is a family that I'll know forever," Shepard said Monday. "Even if they don't have a lot, they'll feed you forever," she said, recalling many cups of strong Ethiopian coffee served by Fitsum's father, Belay, who works as a valet at the Brown Palace.

"This is the only family I know where the kids argue over who's the smartest," she added. "And they are all smart."

Asked who is the smartest among her and her five younger siblings, Fitsum doesn't miss a beat.

"Me, of course," she said laughing.

The decision letter from the Daniels Fund arrived a few weeks ago.

Her father called her and said, "OK, I've got the mail. Do you want me to open it?"

"Is it fat or skinny?" she asked.

"Fat," he said.

"Open it."

A few minutes later, when she called Shepard, who was at a conference in Las Vegas, Shepard said it was hard to tell who was screaming for joy louder, the mentor or the student.

Today, the Daniels Fund plans to announce the names of all 265 students who will receive $6.6 million of scholarships. Thanks to some good portfolio investments, that number is up from 200 scholars two years ago, said fund spokesman Peter Droege. The scholars are from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah.

Fitsum plans to use her scholarship to attend Saint Louis University, where she hopes to study creative writing.

Her mentor is not surprised that her protege won the scholarship.

"Every time she hears of something that has to do with leadership, she signs up for it," Shepard said. "She takes the initiative and makes things happen for herself."

The Daniels Fund by the numbers

The Denver-based foundation started by the late cable magnate Bill Daniels makes grants to nonprofit organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah and on a limited basis to national programs.

70% of money paid out by the fund is given to agencies working in nine areas chosen by Daniels, including education, the homeless, the elderly and children.

30% of the fund's annual payout is devoted to the foundation's college-prep and scholarship program.

Geographic breakdown of the funds

* Colorado: 65 percent (50 percent in the Denver area, 15 percent in the balance of the state)

* New Mexico: 10 percent

* Wyoming: 10 percent

* National programs: 10 percent

* Utah: 5 percent

• May 7, 2008

  8 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  thats_just_me writes:

  Great for her – Please note this is a success story of LEGAL immigration.

• May 7, 2008

  11:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BetterEducated writes:

  CONGRATULATIONS, GOOD JOB!!!

• May 7, 2008

  12:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  This is an absolutely OUTSTANDING story. We could use a lot more LEGAL immigrants like this family. This story, and innumerable ones like it, are what have built America. Mom & Dad immigrate, work their butts off, the kids get the money to go to college. mom, dad the kids, the grandkids ... all add to the rich culture of this country.

  Go for it Fitsum family, I am incredibly happy that you have made it here and your success. You are truly Americans.

  Scott

• May 7, 2008

  8:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Alive writes:

  Good for her! Now this is how it is done. Some "immigrants" could learn a thing or two from her.

• May 13, 2008

  10:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  STOPUSAGiveaway writes:

  I am sorry but everyone cannot just run from what they do not like. Someone must take responsibility for their own nation.
  And who has been supporting them while they were refugees?
  Will they pay back the working USA citizen taxpayers?
  Can we the people continue to support the world at 4% of the words overpopulation?
  How many USA students of generations have to borrow to attend college then cannot find jobs? For example, the IT field is filled with H1B Visa holders from foreign nations while US grads formerly on the Deans Lists around the nation and Community Volunteers have the responsibility of paying back what they will never benefit from....theor IT degrees.
  If this family was so poor how were the able to travel to the USA?
  Are we mere slaves to the world...and the whims or a disposal for the worlds overpopulation at our own demise and expense?
  Why should our sons have to be systematically sacrificed on foreign soil for the world: FIRST IN and FIRST to die? Why?
  If you have not made the sacrifice THEN YOU have no right to give away anything.
  FIVE BIRTHS who paid for them? Have they paid their birthright?
  How many USA citizens go without health care?
  How many cannot even afford to go to college yet have the ability?
  I have seen too many and even more drop out...
  We cannot sacrifice ourselves for the world and survive.
  If we do not take care of our own families, neighbors, friends and citizens: we will not be a nation....
  We are the most debtor nation and everyone expects it all.
  Do Unto Others...
  One Nation Under GOD for how long....