A UT Austin Student For North Texas Giving Day

Hi, my name is Mercy Opaleye, and I’m currently a student at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in International Relations and Global Studies on the pre-law track. I'm proud to be a recipient of the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, a program that not only supports students like me financially but also genuinely cares about our well-being, growth, and long-term success.

My journey began in Ogun State, Nigeria, where access to education was often limited by strikes and a lack of resources. When I was ten, my mom made the difficult decision to move us to the U.S. for a better life. My first day in the classroom felt unfamiliar, even a little intimidating but I knew it was a fresh start for me, and for my family. As a first-generation college student, I've had to adjust to a whole new world, but I’ve embraced it with determination not only for myself, but for my younger brothers who look up to me.

Hendrick Scholarship Foundation provides life skills workshops, mentoring, and one-on-one coaching that are built to help students like me to stay on track academically, professionally, and personally. This support has and will continue to make a huge difference in my college experience and that’s why I’m raising money for them this North Texas Giving Day. Your donation helps students like me not only reach college, but thrive once we're there.

Thank you for supporting my journey, and for helping Hendrick continue changing lives.