Right C3 is proud to announce the Second Prize winner of the Senior Survey Scholarship Contest! Sidei Clouden of Brooklyn, NY was named the $1,500 Second Prize Winner.
Sidei told Right C3 that she is attending SUNY Canton to study Veterinary Technology with the hope of one day becoming a veterinarian. Once she visited Canton’s campus, Sidei said she simply fell in love with the school. She said she’s happy to be attending a college that allows her the on-campus experience while still being relatively close to home.
Sidei grew up in the Caribbean and moved to New York when she was 12 years old. During her childhood, she said her family had cared for 15 dogs! However, her decision to become a veterinarian was not an easy one. Veterinary medicine was not highly valued from where her family came from, so she explained how she had to persevere through her family not necessarily encouraging her choice. However, she found other mentors, such as a principal in her high school who also had a passion for animals and was service-oriented. She also turned to her Right C3 coaches for help. “Right C3 helped me face my conflicted career ideas and start working it out. They really helped me figure out what path I wanted career-wise early in my high school career.”
In high school, Sidei was very active. She was President of the National Honors Society and Junior President and Treasurer of her high school’s student government. She also participated in soccer, track and field, and softball. She developed a particular love of softball, and has spoken to the coach at SUNY Canton in hopes of trying out for the college team.
Sidei was also fortunate to go to a high school that offered a lot of academic choices. She was able to attend college classes on Saturdays and is now starting college with 16 credit hours. Still, she says the college application season was particularly tough. “The last minute essays and interviews caused a lot of pressure. I had to focus on keeping my head and not getting distracted. But I found my passion and I’m really working hard toward it.” She encourages future students to do the same; “Stay focused and get involved a lot. Colleges want to see you involved from the beginning.”