Words of inspiration honored

October 8, 2005
The Enquirer
Katie Oliveri

Nona Atoyan, 17, was inspired by 10 words written below a painting hanging in the hallway of Kellogg Community College.

"Somebody was once a nobody who wanted to and did."

It was that quote which made Atoyan, who grew up in Armenia, realize that "one benefits from life exactly what they put into it."

"No one was born a teacher...a lawyer...a president," she wrote in a personal statement. "We all are born with equal opportunities and abilities to make the right choices and actually become somebody...I'm a strong-willed, focused individual...on her way to becoming a somebody."

It was Atoyan's words that earned her the Robert L. and Lois H. Brenner Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500. Atoyan, in her fourth semester at Kellogg Community College, received one of about 170 scholarships awarded to students this year at the third annual fall scholarship luncheon Friday, hosted by the KCC Foundation.

"I'm so very happy to receive the award since I'm an international student," she said. "It's a great help."
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