Patricia do Carmo, an English graduate student at Cal Poly Pomona, has been awarded a Hearst/CSU Trustee scholarship in recognition of her outstanding academic performance and her perseverance in overcoming personal hardships.

Despite being a single mother and sole income earner, do Carmo has been able to maintain a 3.95 GPA. She is also a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and has participated in numerous volunteer projects and conferences.

Do Carmo says the $3,000 scholarship comes at the perfect time for her.

"This saves my last year of school," she says. "I'm very grateful and I appreciate all the help out there for people like me."

Do Carmo is on track to complete her master's degree in English this year. After graduation, she hopes to teach English as a second language to college students. Her desire to help others learn English stems from her own experience of moving to Rancho Cucamonga from Brazil as a child, which required her to learn the language by immersion.

Do Carmo says it is often difficult for her to spend time away from home while attending classes and studying, but she hopes she will serve as an example to her daughter.

"She is very understanding," do Carmo says. "She's extremely proud of mom and hopefully she will follow my lead."