Houlaye Sy
Growing up in Senegal, Houlaye was profoundly influenced by her parents, who challenged traditional and orthodox values that limited their educational opportunities. Despite the obstacles, their determination instilled in her a deep appreciation for education and resilience. Moving to the United States at 10, she faced significant challenges in adapting to a new culture and language. However, her innate curiosity and passion for learning enabled her to overcome these hurdles, quickly becoming proficient in English and Spanish, in addition to French, Fulani, and Wolof.
Her passion for linguistics and cultural diversity drives her academic and extracurricular pursuits. Houlaye actively seeks to represent and advocate for underrepresented communities, participating in prestigious programs like the National Geographic Society and Photocamp. She is an ambassador in the Colorado Business Hall of Fame and speaks at notable panels such as the AFRIK Impact Education Forum and Great Education Colorado.
Recognized by Senator Bennet and honored with an invitation to the Governor's residence, she is dedicated to driving impactful change. She looks forward to collaborating with the House Committee on Education on a bill to create more equitable school funding in Colorado. Additionally, she has secured an internship at KPMG, further solidifying her commitment to making a difference locally and globally.
In Your First Scholarship, an award for those who have never before won a scholarship, we will be walking you through all the steps of the application process, providing the best tips and tricks, and essentially, leaving you with a refined "toolbox" for you to use in all your future endeavors—from academic to professional.