Natalie Tristan, a graduating senior at Nixon High School and the Business, Industry, and Public Service (BIPS) Academy will be heading to New York City in hopes of becoming the next Wall Street tycoon. Tristan has been selected as a recipient of the NYU Stern Scholarship for the NHS Class of 2023. As the recipient of the Stern Scholarship, Natalie will attend NYU’s Stern School of Business on a four-year scholarship.
One night while eating dinner with her family Natalie was going through her emails when she received a notification from NYU that said her admissions had been updated.
“I wasn’t expecting much when I logged into NYU and checked the admissions,” said Tristan. “I was like ok, let's see how this goes and the first word I read was congratulations. As I continued to read the letter, I was like, “mom guess what?” You are not going to believe this. I got accepted into NYU.”
“I couldn't believe the news. It felt like I was there, but I wasn't there. It felt like I was floating or walking on clouds,” added Tristan. “This is just amazing and a big accomplishment. All my hard work has paid off. I never would have thought this would have happened to me.”
The news kept getting better for Natalie as she received a second email notification from NYU. This email included information on financial aid she would be receiving. As it turns out, she was the recipient of the Stern Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program Scholarship. Basically, the scholarship will cover all her cost including tuition, fees, meals, and boarding.
According to Natalie receiving this scholarship means the world to them as it will take a financial burden off her parents.
“This means a lot to my family. Coming from Laredo, a border town in Texas, this is a big deal,” said Tristan. “Realistically my family would not have been able to contribute much as the tuition cost is very high,” said Tristan. “This just goes to show that this is a really great opportunity and I'm grateful that they have been able to show me the support. I'm grateful that NYU is taking a chance on me.”
Natalie chose NYU because of their business program at the Stern School of Business and being steps aways from the financial capital of the world.
“I'm going to be majoring in business with a concentration in marketing and accounting at NYU,” said Tristan. “Attending NYU will allow me to have better chances of getting internships and better opportunities as Wall Street is right there. So, I'll be able to make some big connections and hopefully climb up the ladder and get a really good job.”
Tristan also expressed her appreciation to those who supported her throughout the years.
“I want to thank my friends, my family, my teachers, my coaches, and my counselors Ms. Gonzalez and Mrs. Jackson,” said Tristan. “Everyone that I have surrounded myself with, they've all played a big part in this. It wasn't just me myself. It was also with the help of them all that I was able to get to where I am right now.”
Natalie is a standout athlete at Nixon, where she is a four-year letterman in softball and a three-year letterman in Volleyball and Basketball. As for extra-curricular activates Tristan is the President of the National Honor Society, member of Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council, Senior Class, Interact Club, Communities in Schools, and UIL ready writing and history.