Vanessa Wright

PROFILE: Vanessa Wright’s ability and promise was recognized by the Foundation more than eight years ago when she was selected as a Young Scholar. Her early test scores in math and science were off the charts. The Inland Empire native—an area just east of Los Angeles—realized in fifth grade she loved both subjects. Vanessa had the smarts, interest, and desire for a career in community service. The Foundation provided the means. “The Foundation supported my interests in music, mathematics, writing, foreign language, and even sports,” Vanessa said. “Everything the Foundation has done in support of my ambitions has been a dream come true. I have been led to believe that anything is possible, and as a result, I am more comfortable with pursuing my true passions. I still hold myself to the highest standards, but I also realize that only the things that I am most passionate about are worth pursuing.”  Vanessa is staying close to home for graduate school; she’ll remain at USC to pursue her advanced degree in engineering.

INSPIRATION: Vanessa’s high school English teacher, Ms. Irving, is the most inspirational and memorable person in her life. “She encouraged me to ‘dive deep’ in order to find a writing style that is particularly my own,” Vanessa said. As a student fond of math and science, she always dreaded essay assignments, but Ms. Irving rode to the rescue, transforming those assignments from “nightmares into adventures.”

ASPIRATION: “Flying vessels are my true passion,” Vanessa said. She is in awe of “what makes these great beasts lift their own weight thousands of feet in the air at the greatest speeds man has ever known.” 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Foundation scholarships have made a substantial difference in Vanessa’s world. The day she received word that she’d been accepted as a Young Scholar was the best in her young life so far. “That day has become increasingly valuable to me over the years as I realize how much it changed my life,” Vanessa said. “There are so many things I have been able to do because of the Foundation's support. I treasure my experience as a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholar. It is through the Foundation's generosity that I have met the most admirable people whose lives have been an inspiration to me.”

ACCOLADES: Vanessa received the USC Trustees’ Scholarship and reached the Dean’s List. In addition, she was named a USC Viterbi School of Engineering Merit Research Scholar.

INTERESTING FACT: Vanessa is a big fan of USC Trojan sports as well as many professional teams in Los Angeles.