Scholars Around the World
Two JKCF Scholars organize a 15-day study tour to Bolivia to explore the country’s political economy, peoples and rural development
Scholar in the News
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Victoria Usova
“I believe that a great deal of my success stems from my work ethic. Of course it is beneficial to have skills and knowledge; but persistence is key. My high level of achievement is a product of my inextinguishable desire to achieve what my parents and grandparents didn’t.”
- Program: 2009 College Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Houston, TX
- Hometown: Grodno, Belarus, Russia
- Age: 21
- Four-year College or University: Oxford University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Government, International NGO/Relations, Lawyer / Legal Scholar, Psychology / Therapy, Writing / Journalism, Political Science, Law, Government, Business Law/Politics, Diplomat, Judge
- Other Interests: Foreign Languages / International Study, Forensic League / Speech & Debate, Government, Honor Society, International Relations / NGOs, Liberal Arts, Literature, Performing Arts / Theatre, Politics and Diplomacy, Student Government, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work, Writing / Journalism, : Dancing (all types-jazz, pom, modern), Cheerleading, Music, Reading, Writing Poetry
Biography
Program: 2009 College Scholarship Recipient
Resides: Houston, TX
Hometown: Grodno, Belarus, Russia
Age: 18
Four-year College or University: Oxford University
Academic/Career Pursuits: Political Science, Law, Government, Business Law/Politics, Diplomat, Attorney, Judge
Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Victoria said the summer of 2007 which she spent studying at Yale University was a tremendous opportunity, which gave her further incentive to strive for her goals. She is proud to have been named a Young Scholar and glad that she was able to contribute to “this community of extraordinary people and show what I had to offer in my own area of skills and strengths.”
Profile: Victoria is currently working on a novel about the experiences of her ancestors in Communist Russia during the Holocaust. She came to Texas from her birthplace in Russia in the mid-1990s and quickly adapted to her new surroundings. Her motivation to succeed in her adopted country came from her parents and grandparents, who have persisted through adversity and financial obstacles to achieve their dreams.
Inspiration: There are hundreds of teachers at the large public high school Victoria attended in Houston and Victoria is grateful to many of them. But one instructor in particular, Victoria’s chemistry teacher, Mr. Kai Kuo “impacted me in a sense that has changed who I am.” His caring and patience are a gift to all who know him and learn from him.
Aspiration: She is considering a career as a trial attorney. Her interest stemmed from a mock trial in 8th grade that led Victoria to look further into the sphere of law and legal studies.
Making a Difference: In addition to her rigorous academic schedule, Victoria volunteered over 500 hours in the past three years at various organizations including Braes Interfaith Ministries in Houston which runs a food pantry for the hungry and homeless people of the city.
Accolades: At the top of Victoria’s highlight reel is the gold medal she won in the Texas Olympiada of spoken Russian. The Olympiadais an annual series of state and regional competitions held for high school students of Russian in the US. In addition she was named a Russian Scholar Laureate, one of only 50 in the nation to receive the honor.
Interesting fact: Victoria was one of 35 Americans accepted to attend Oxford University. In addition to English, she speaks Belarusian, Russian and Hebrew.
Other Scholars Like Victoria
Michelle Mills
Graduate Scholar
Howard University School of Law
Jean-Blaise Ognong
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Georgetown University
Yakov Pechersky
College Scholar
Harvard University
J. Ashley Odell
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Eastern Connecticut State University