"Growing up in an immigrant household in Candler, my siblings and I witnessed the sacrifices our parents made as they left their families and home to lay the foundation for a better life for us here. Though they dreamed of education and success, they set those dreams aside to invest in our future so we could dream bigger and pursue the aspirations they once had. Those sacrifices have paved the way for me as I follow in the footsteps of my two older brothers, pursuing higher education and continuing my journey at Duke University to become a biomedical engineer. I hope to develop and improve medical technologies that allow my grandparents to continue living healthy lives and to keep communication close with my parents, no matter the distance between countries. As I move to the vibrant community in Durham, NC, I look forward to staying involved, whether by performing my instrument at basketball games or by volunteering through the many communities and programs at Duke. Receiving support from CFWNC has allowed me to pursue opportunities I did not think were possible. Given the financial strain colleges can place on families like mine, I am deeply grateful for the support that has allowed me to pursue my education with peace of mind as I continue to live the future my parents worked to make possible for me."
Ian Torres-Vera
Received the Irving Jacob Reuter Award, valued at $40,000 over four years