Impact Stories

As graduation day for the Class of 2021 drew near, I received news that would change the course of my life—I had been selected as a recipient of the ShahFoundation Scholarship. It was a moment of validation, the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. My connection with the Shah family began in 2019 through my Virtual Enterprise (VE) class, and their belief in me was more than financial support—it was a vote of confidence in my potential.

I left high school feeling unstoppable. My first semester in college went smoothly, and I felt proud of how I had adjusted to my new environment. Riding high on that success, I made a bold decision: I signed up for 17.5 credits in my second semester and joined the college tennis team. I underestimated the time, energy, and discipline both would require.

As the weeks went by, my priorities shifted. Tennis became my focus, and academics took a back seat. My grades suffered, and my GPA dropped to 2.7. Then came the moment I feared most: I lost my Shah Foundation scholarship. I was devastated. The hardest part wasn’t the loss of financial support—it was the shame of having to tell my parents, who had been so proud of me. That weight could have crushed me. Instead, it ignited something inside me.

I resolved to rebuild—not just my grades, but my habits, my discipline, and my mindset. I attended an on-campus time management seminar, where I learned practical strategies: breaking large tasks into smaller steps, using daily planners, sticking to strict timetables, and holding myself accountable—doubling the effort if I missed a goal. These weren’t just tips; they became my lifeline.

Slowly, the tide began to turn. My grades improved, and my confidence grew. By the end of freshman year, I was on an upward trajectory. The Shah Foundation took notice. They saw not just a student bouncing back, but a young man who had faced failure head-on and turned it into fuel. They reinstated my scholarship.

In my final year, I became captain of the tennis team, earned the Presidential Honor Award, and landed on the Dean’s List. The scholarship had started as a symbol of achievement. By the time I graduated, it had become a symbol of resilience, second chances, and the power of learning from
failure.

Today, I carry those lessons with me. The Shah Foundation gave me more than financial assistance—they gave me the tools and belief to transform a setback into a stepping stone. And that, I believe, will serve me far beyond the tennis court or the classroom.

Richie Magaribi