Name: Emma Fariello
Emma Fariello grew up with a passion for learning. With parents who both held undergraduate degrees, education was always a significant part of her life. Emma, however, faced the daunting prospect of financing her college education, which often overshadowed her academic achievements at South Fork High School.
“The thought of college had always been associated with large numbers swirling around in my head,” she says.
The turning point came during her AP literature class, when a classmate encouraged her to apply for a scholarship from the Community Foundation. Emma decided to take the plunge and completed the application in a single day. She enjoyed the process, which allowed her to express her authentic self.
Emma’s interview with the scholarship committee was one that she’ll never forget.
“I distinctly recall leaving my interview with a brand-new perspective,” she said. “And I had never felt more grown up and my own person than during those 30 minutes.”
The committee’s genuine interest and support left her feeling more confident about her path ahead.
Finally receiving the scholarship from the Community Foundation was a significant relief for Emma and her family — and she soon found herself on the campus of the University of Florida. The scholarship allowed her to complete her first two years of her undergraduate degree with no loans or student debt, and covered her housing and tuition. “For the first time in ages, I got to embrace learning without all of the anxiety that used to accompany it.”
Although matriculating to a large university catapulted her personal growth, Emma also found herself comparing her own means, intelligence and situation to those around her. “However, having the privilege to attend college has given me so much confidence in who I am as a person, and that’s all that truly matters,” she reflects.
As Emma enters her junior year, she is not only excelling in her dual majors but also expanding her worldview. This summer, she traveled outside of the United States for the first time to intern and study abroad in Galway, Ireland — an experience made possible by the scholarship.
On campus, Emma has embraced various leadership roles. This fall, she will serve as a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ambassador and a mentor for the Florida Leadership Academy. These roles allow her to give back to the UF community, helping other students navigate their own paths like she has.
In the future, Emma seeks to continue higher studies at UF, aspiring to complete a law school degree with a focus on environmental law. And, ultimately, she imagines developing a career that speaks to her with purpose.
Today, Emma is deeply grateful for the support of her scholarship donors, whose philanthropy has allowed her to build a full academic and personal life. “It is a priceless feeling being able to wake up every morning knowing that others have invested into my future, with their confidence backing up every step and decision I make.”
