Svitlana Arroyo
Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Houston, TX ( May 10, 2018 ) – University of Houston – Downtown student Svitlana Arroyo has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of her inspiring personal narrative, excellent academic record and spirit of community service.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Arroyo is one of ten recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
In her personal narrative, Svitlana shared why she was inspired to become a teacher. “In a small town in the Ukraine there was a wonderful teacher who taught me from her heart and changed many lives,” said Svitlana. “Every year she met children with open arms and a kind smile. She was there for her students and always knew the right words of support and encouragement. That was my first teacher—Maria Myroslavivna—who inspired me with her dedication and passion for teaching. Since I was a little girl, becoming a teacher and impacting the lives of children has always been my dream.”
“Svitlana moved our committee with her personal experiences as a child in the Ukraine and in telling her story of coming to America to pursue this dream. She is the type of teacher that we like to support and see succeed,” said Nancy Larson.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students who have declared an elementary education major are invited to submit a personal narrative about why they want to teach, what personal experiences they have had that inspired them to teach and what will make them excellent teachers. Applicants are also asked to include community service activities and experiences they have had working with children.
Larson, a former teacher and curriculum director, has dedicated her life to advancing elementary education. Nancy Larson Science K–5 programs were developed because teachers needed a classroom-tested science program that would prepare children for upper-level science classes and careers in science. The program was written to provide in-depth science content in an easy-to-teach format.