From College Dreams to Career Clarity: Joanny’s IDEA Scholarship Journey

As a freshman in high school, Joanny Narvaez had just experienced her first college fair, leaving her thinking about all the choices she had to make for her future. She had always known one thing for certain, that sports would somehow be part of her life, but she was still unsure of what that would look like. 

While searching for a way to explore her interests further, she came across Summer Springboard. What began as casual research quickly turned into something more intentional. The program offered exactly what she had been looking for: an opportunity to learn more about a career in sports and a real-life glimpse into what majoring in Sports Management could look like. 

THe IDEA Scholarship 

Summer Springboard offers three full ride scholarships each year for students to attend a program at their choice of campus. Joanny was a recipient of one of these scholarships, allowing her to pursue the program she wanted without having to worry about any financial burdens.

“I stumbled upon Summer Springboard and really looked into the website and researched all the options they had and found the IDEA Scholarship,” she says. “I decided to give it a shot and got accepted!” 

Choosing a campus didn’t take long. Joanny had always envisioned herself attending college in California and the school that stood out to her most was UCLA. 

“One of the schools I always heard about was UCLA, so I wanted to have the full experience at a big and very popular campus.” 

That vision became reality. From walking through campus to sitting in real college classrooms, the experience exceeded her expectations. “I’m very glad that was my choice because I absolutely loved it there.” 

Finding Clarity in the Classroom 

While the campus was unforgettable, it was the Sports Management course that truly made an impact. Joanny arrived with little knowledge of what the industry really entailed, but she left with clarity. 

“The classes were extremely interesting and informative,” she says. “They gave me so much clarity about the major itself.” 

The Sports Management instruction stood out in particular. From learning about the business side of athletics to understanding how organizations operate behind the scenes, every lesson offered new insight. The instructor and the excursions were especially memorable, giving her a sense of the industry she hopes to join. 

“I came in with no expectations and absolutely no idea what Sports Management was all about,” she says. “I left knowing so much more about the inside of the industry. The amount of information we got was extremely helpful and I still make connections from what I learned there to my life now.” 

More than anything, the program validated her passion. 

“I’m very passionate about sports and the entire program made me feel understood and encouraged me to show that to everyone else. I really feel like I belong in the sports industry.”

Beyond knowledge from the classes, the Summer Springboard program offered something equally valuable for Joanny: confidence for the future. Through college readiness workshops, she gained practical tools for navigating applications and understanding what colleges truly look for. 

“I feel much more confident about college applications and college life because of this program,” she says. “I have so much clarity now, which is exactly what I was looking for in the first place.” 

The Connections Beyond Academics 

Though the academics were transformative, the relationships she built became the heart of the experience. 

“The staff was always so kind, fun and caring,” Joanny recalls. “They made everything even better.” 

But it was her fellow students who left the deepest impression. 

“I bonded with some of the most caring and genuine people I’ve ever met from all parts of the world,” she says. “We still keep in touch to this day. That’s something I’ll always treasure.” 

What began as a group of strangers quickly became a community. Shared classes, conversations and new experiences built friendships that extended beyond the program’s end date. 

Words of Advice 

For students considering spending their summer with Summer Springboard, her advice is simple: “Have an open mind about everything. Your attitude will determine whether you have a good time or not.” 

The first few days weren’t easy. Being away from home and meeting so many new people felt overwhelming at times. But once Joanny allowed herself to relax and fully embrace the experience, everything changed. 

“I was a little homesick and felt a little nervous about meeting so many new people,” she admits. “But once I relaxed and just enjoyed myself, time flew by extremely quickly and before I knew it, I was already saying goodbye to everybody.” 

Her message is clear: show up fully. Participate in the activities, pay attention in class and build connections. Step outside your comfort zone and get the best out of this experience. 

“I had a great experience at UCLA,” she says, “I’m very grateful to Summer Springboard for this opportunity. It was life-changing!”

If you are interested in applying for our IDEA Scholarship, visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships page: https://summerspringboard.com/financial-aid/