Renee Fernandez
Name: Renee Fernandez
High School: Mountain View High School
College (Current or Future): University of Georgia
Major/Intended Major: Animal Science
Financial Aid Program: Zell Miller Scholarship
A love for animals is something you are born with.
At least a case could be made for Renee Fernandez, who, “finally had enough space to get my first dog,” when her parents, educators from Cuba, moved from Miami to Georgia.
“I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian ever since I got my first dog,” said Fernandez. “I wanted to help every animal I could be healthy and happy.”
With that determination, she earned Honor Roll status at Mountain View High School and the Zell Miller Scholarship for her first year of college.
“Being an award recipient has allowed me to feel confident about achieving my dreams with a lot less stress about how I am going to afford college,” said Fernandez. “Although I will still have some financial stress, I am so glad that the majority of the burden has been removed.”
What has never left is Fernandez’s affinity for animals. Before graduating high school, she had volunteered with a dog rescue and served an internship at a veterinary hospital.
“My passion for helping animals is what drives me forward to further my education,” said Fernandez. “I want to dedicate my life to making animals healthy and informing their owners about proper care.”
With that goal in mind, Fernandez at the University of Georgia, majoring in Animal Science with plans to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine afterwards.
“An animal science major will provide me with more opportunities to get hands-on experience with animals,” said Fernandez, who will need to devote nearly a decade for this dream.
“All the years of education will be worth it once I can finally do what I love.”
