Every year, we have the privilege of awarding scholarships to students graduating from a Collin County public high school. With these scholarships, we want to help encourage students reach their goals.
In honor or Zac’s dream of becoming a physician, we award scholarships to those pursuing a medical oriented program of study. We go through a detailed process in order to award the students that fit the qualities and traits we are looking for. We look at students who embody the following traits:
- Academic excellence
- School & community participation
- Leadership potential
- Financial need
Over time we have had the privilege of awarding 87 scholarships to students in the Collin County area. One of our very first scholarship recipients, Alyssa Chow, was a student from Plano East Senior High and a dear friend of Zac’s. Alyssa received the Living for Zachary Academic Scholarship for the 2010-2011 school year.
Alyssa graduated in 2011 and knew that she wanted to pursue a degree in the medical field. “I knew I wanted to work in healthcare after volunteering at various events in the hospital, clinical settings, and Living for Zachary was a huge inspiration in wanting to care for others and prevent similar situations from happening in the future” said Alyssa.
She attended Texas Tech University and during her time there she helped fund not one, but two on-campus organizations. She was also presented with the opportunity to travel to Honduras and participate in a medical mission trip. Alyssa graduated from Texas Tech in 2015 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. After graduation, Alyssa applied to physician assistant programs while working at a dermatology office. She was later accepted into the University of Texas Medical Branch under the Galveston Physician Assistant Program in July 2016.
“I am thankful every day for how Zac’s legacy has inspired me and influenced my life in the most positive way; Living for Zachary helped me find my purpose” said Alyssa.
A quote from Zac that always resonates with her “Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.” She hopes that good will come from her becoming a physician assistant just like how Living for Zachary has turned a tragedy into doing so much good for everyone else.
We’re proud of the time, effort, and work Alyssa has dedicated to becoming a physician assistant! We wish her the best of luck as she continues to pursue her dream.