Alona Hapey

Alona Hapey is a mother of two, a proud American citizen, and a student of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the University of Maryland, College Park. As a first-generation immigrant as well as the first college student in her family, she has made this path filled with many challenges, mistakes, and failures, but is driven to learn, research and contribute to the best of her abilities. She is very familiar with late nights and early mornings which are filled with taking care of her infant daughter or doing her college assignments. She knows that in the next morning she needs to be ready for a new day, going to work and school, or doing her mother’s chores with a smile on her face, and that is not easy. Sometimes she thinks she should quit, however, she realizes that making my own path and by setting new goals she is reinventing my life and career, and making my dreams a reality. However, slowly step by step she am going to achieve her dreams. These are dreams that she would never achieve without the support of her family, friends, mentors, and advisors, (such as the professors from Montgomery College and the University of Maryland). In her journey to receive her first Bachelor’s degree, she is growing to learn and educate myself and support her kids. And she is telling herself she can do it because she is a woman and mother irrepressible and resilient with the whole world in her hands. She has the courage and the drive and energy to acquire her bachelor’s degree and improve her life as well as help contribute to society with the best of her abilities. As a non-traditional student, being a mature woman, Hapey would like to be an example for her children. She would like to show that in her 40th year a new life can just begin, and it is never too late to accomplish her dreams. According to Hapey, age is just a number and does not dictate your spirit.