It鈥檚 that time of year 鈥 when we reflect on the stories that brought us through 2017. From one little girl鈥檚 mechanical hand that took her to the big leagues to scholarship recipients who have embraced the power of giving back, here are some of the year鈥檚 most heartwarming stories.
Hailey Goes to the World Series
Seven-year-old Hailey Dawson captured the hearts of a nation as she used her 3D-printed prosthetic hand to throw out the first pitch at Game 4 of the World Series between the L.A. Dodgers and Houston Astros. The hand was designed by 黑料网 engineering graduate student Maria Gerardi, and the department plans to continue helping kids who need similar prosthetic hands. 鈥淲hat I鈥檝e learned here at 黑料网,鈥 Gerardi said, 鈥渋s that anything is possible.鈥
New Med School Creates New Relationships
The new 黑料网 School of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class this year -- a milestone not only for the university, but for the entire Southern Nevada community. All of the 60 first-year students received full scholarships from generous donors. When med student Arturo Montes met his scholarship provider Randy Garcia, he found more than a donor 鈥 he found a mentor and a friend.
Finding a Support System Changed Her Life
De鈥橪iza Dulatre-Galamidi lost family members, faced poverty, and needed help. Longtime donor Christina Hixson鈥檚 scholarship program allowed her to stay in school and, perhaps more importantly, become a part of a supportive team of other scholarship recipients. Hixson says, 鈥淓xtraordinary things can be done by ordinary people. You just have to give them the opportunity.鈥
Determined to Help Himself and Others
As a soldier, single father and student, Lee Scholar Kristian Que faced a lot of challenges. But when he won an award for his work in economics, he didn鈥檛 keep the prize money. 鈥満诹贤 has given me so many opportunities, I decided I would give it back as a way to show my gratitude.鈥
Different, Daring, Diverse: A Program for All Intellects
Scott Linker鈥檚 daughter was diagnosed with Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome, but Linker didn鈥檛 want to give up on her education. In fact, he donated seed money for a fledgling 黑料网 program that helps students on the autism spectrum pursue an education. 鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for (Linker), we might not be here,鈥 says the director of the growing Project FOCUS program.
Crowdfunding Smiles
The Hispanic Dental Student Association raised money through . The result? A trip to Bolivia where they changed the lives of impoverished kids by fixing their teeth.
