Hi! I’m Vanessa Bedford
I’m working hard to raise money for the Fund Scholar's Summer Experiences fundraiser led by SEO Scholars Class of 2020.

My goal

$100 of $350 raised

29% completed. Raised by 2 donors

This fundraiser concluded on Friday, June 8, 2018

Bonjour, Come With Me As We Explore The Beauty of France!

This fundraiser is organized by SEO Scholars Class of 2020

Fundraiser goal

$67,134 of $65,000 raised

103% completed. Raised by 1202 donors

This fundraiser concluded on Friday, June 8, 2018

About

Hey! my name is Vanessa Bedford and I'm a Junior in my high school Bronx Academy of Health Careers. I'm a person who's always happy, loves to sing, and can dance for days. One of my favorite things to do are West African Dances. I come from a country in West Africa called Ghana, which is known for it's unique cloth and its mouth watering ranges of food. Next to my love for dance is my love for my student government club that's held in school. My student government club is in charge of making the student body's voice be heard and I've been the president for all most three years now. By joining this club I've found a love for self advocacy and plan on making my future career revolve around this idea. I"m the first child in my family and also the first to attend school in the United States so that makes me a first generation student. This summer I am proud and honor to say I will be traveling 3,689 miles to heart of France to learn about the art behind it's beautiful cuisines.

What I’m Raising Money For

This summer as I walk down the sidewalk of the City of Lights from Sacre Coeur I will learn the arts between food and cultures from the tip of France to the bottom. This journey will not only open my eyes to new grounds but open my mind to a new mindset. During my trip to France I will shop for fresh produce in the outdoor markets, take a french pastry class at the Parisian cooking school, and engage in field based explorations by attending a week of culinary classes. Your funds will help cover the expenses of transportation, food, culinary gear, and room and board.

Why You Should Give

As a first generation student, it's been hard to do well in school without any support. Both of my parents were both born and raised in Ghana where education wasn't always a main priority. My parents were taught that to make money you must work, that school wasn't going to pay the bills. But when they traveled to the United States they learned that school brought more to the table than just a handful of books. They realized that education was the key to a successful life and that is why they have embedded how important school is to me ever since I could take my first step. Even though, I don't get their support on a academic base, I get their support in many other ways. They support this trip and that is why I believe you should donate because I can show my parents how far schooling has gotten me and be a living example of the fact they learned about education can be true for not only me but for that come after me as well.