By Julie Slama | [email protected] 

This fall, Hillcrest High graduate Marthe Mfourou may be found in classes at Snow College, thanks to the help of the Canyons Education Foundation. 

Mfourou, who wants to earn her law degree, received the Canyons Education Foundation’s $1,000 Bright Star scholarship. 

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I want to live on campus, make friends, learn more English and study to be a lawyer. I like justice.” 

Mfourou was one of eight students who were awarded scholarships based on their abilities to overcome some difficulties in their lives, said Foundation Officer Denise Haycock.

“New to the position of development officer I can easily see where awarding scholarships to deserving students will be one of my favorite parts of this job,” she said about the scholarships that were awarded to many students who have already made great strides in their lives, from improving grades to overcoming trials in their lives. 

This is the third year Canyons Education Foundation has awarded scholarships. On April 19, the Foundation awarded a record $11,000 in college scholarships.  

Mfourou came to the United States in spring 2014, after almost one year of waiting, from the French Congo. 

“I didn’t know English. I was using Google Translate. My French teachers helped me out, but I was in middle school in Africa, so it was harder adjusting to high school and learning English here,” she said. 

Still, Mfourou pursued, studying every opportunity she had. Several teachers spoke slower so she could feel comfortable in class and she attended a refugee school on Sundays to get help with the language and her studies. 

“Math is a lot harder here,” she said. “I kept trying.” 

By her senior year, Mfourou was taking Advanced Placement classes and was on the school’s honor roll. She saw the opportunity for college, but knew, “I’d need a scholarship to pay tuition and for all my schooling.” 

Her counselor pointed her toward the Bright Star scholarship. 

“She told me to write about myself and my story,” Marthe recalled before starting the application. After submitting it, she received a congratulatory email. 

“I remember saying, ‘Oh my!’ I couldn’t believe it was me,” she said. “It’s going to be a reality for me. I’m going to go to college.” 

Marthe was presented a large cardboard check at the Canyons Education Foundation Spring Gala. 

At the gala, other Bright Star winners were recognized — McKayla Dumas, Brighton High; Olivia Steadman, Alta High; Makayla Wright, Jordan High; Vanesa Beers, Jordan High and CTEC; and Sam Aamodt, Corner Canyon High. Celena Slesser of Diamond Ridge was awarded the $2,500 Rising Star Scholarship and Corner Canyon High’s Emily Arthur received the Mountain America Scholarship.