Catherine learned about the scholarship from her father, Xiwen Zhang, an Avery Dennison firmware engineer. She appreciates the scholarship's unique support for Avery Dennison employees and their families. 

“I think it’s really cool that Avery Dennison provides so much support for their employees. I don’t hear of too many friends receiving scholarships from their parent’s employer. For me, the scholarship has alleviated the burden of financial costs or the need to balance a job to help with expenses. Instead, I can focus on my studies, volunteer opportunities, extracurricular activities, prepare for tests and maintain a healthy balance in my life, which is crucial to avoid burnout,” Catherine reflected. 

The scholarship has given Catherine the flexibility to participate in volunteer opportunities such as assisting in an optometry research lab and participating in Special Olympics vision screenings. It has also allowed her to prepare for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and apply to optometry schools without worrying about needing to work to help cover her education expenses.

“The OAT and its preparation courses are expensive, but the scholarship has alleviated those concerns, enabling me to dedicate my full effort and time to my studies. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to pursue my academic and career goals with peace of mind."

Through the Avery Dennison Foundation’s U.S. Scholars program and Global Children of Employees Scholarship, students like Catherine and Kiyashen can pursue higher education and personal growth opportunities without the burden of financial stress. Investing in employees' children highlights the foundation's commitment to supporting the next generation.