Skyler Adams ’20, Horatio Alger State Scholar: “The financial support I received showed me that Santa Clara University cared about my well-being, success, and education before I even stepped onto campus. Because of my scholarships, for the first time in 18 years I was able to breathe. My faith grew stronger. I’m financially independent. My mom is now able to support herself and pay rent for the first time in eight years. Because of my scholarships, I was able to study abroad at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Drama and be the first in my family to visit our home in Denmark since immigrating to the U.S., where our family had lived for over 200 years. My passion for the performing arts has bloomed exponentially, and my value of education has become more personal. I’ve grown into myself and realized that my reach toward others is far more expansive than I ever thought it could be. Donors have given students like me the opportunity to dream, and the tools to make our dreams matter.”