Nicholas Birago

August 23rd, 2010 ·

Nicholas Birago 2010

  • 2010 Wilkins Duignan High Hopes Scholarship recipient
  • Amherst College

As I began my junior year, my family’s emotional and financial stress finally caught up with me. It was difficult for me to cope with the heavy junior year course load in the academically challenging program I was in, International Baccalaureate. I withdrew and became depressed. Concentrating became difficult. It was only in the last two months of my junior year that I began to understand that I was coping with my heavy stress by withdrawing. I realized that this strategy was leading me further and further away from my academic and personal goals. I resolved to take control of my life again. I informed my guidance counselor of my emotional state and academic concern. I gradually regained my enthusiasm and once again started performing up to my capabilities. I am proud of having bounced back from my own depression, of having developed insight and having begun to explore the field of psychology.

Nicholas’s updates


“Nick is no stranger to struggle, but through it all he has prioritized his education. He is also excellent at seeking out needed resources—and if he can’t he find the resources, he creates them himself. He founded the Black Scholars Club and is a respected leader.”

Teacher, Berkeley High School

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