Ember Boyette, Lee University
At just 19, Ember Boyette moved from Louisiana to Tennessee with her parents, seeking a fresh start. Ember had dropped out of school at 16 but later decided to get her General Educational Development (GED), a high school equivalency test, and go to college. Despite not knowing how she would afford it or even enroll, she dove in to the process.
As a first-generation college student, Ember faced significant challenges. “Neither of my parents or grandparents went to college. We didn’t know what to do,” she shared. She submitted her application at 2 a.m. one morning to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, not knowing it ultimately would change everything.
Ember walked through the process, met with counselors and attended other meetings. She asked a lot of questions. As a private university, Ember’s family knew the costs would be quite a bit more, but they still wanted to try.
The SEB Scholars program from SouthEast Bank became the turning point. “We were a few thousand short, and I didn’t think I’d be able to get in. But thanks to the scholarship, I was able to enroll,” Ember said.
The cost of college was not her only challenge. Ember was not computer savvy, and didn’t know how to send an email, let alone write an essay when she entered Lee University. Now in her second year at the university, Ember also has overcome some significant learning disabilities. She was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD and agoraphobia. After receiving treatment and care, Ember’s GPA rose from 2.6 to nearly 3.0.
Now 21, Ember lives at home with her parents and commutes to school. She’s majoring in theater and cinema, with dreams of working in special effects makeup and storytelling. “I want to bring my short stories to life on screen,” she said.
To students like her, Ember offers this advice: “Just dive in. It’s scary, but once you start asking questions and looking things up, it pays off. If you put in the work, it’ll pay off.”
Ingrid Jamies-Trejo, Tennessee Wesleyan University
Ingrid Jamies-Trejo grew up in Athens, Tennessee, where she attended Athens City Schools and credits her teachers and parents for nurturing her love of learning.
“I’ve always been very school-oriented,” Ingrid said. “My parents always pushed me to do well and supported my extracurricular activities. They knew I genuinely enjoyed growing and learning.”
Born in Mexico, Ingrid moved to the United States with her family when she was a baby. Now a sophomore at Tennessee Wesleyan University, she is pursuing a degree in business administration with a focus in marketing. Her interest in the field began in high school, where she was involved in journalism and managed social media for school organizations.
“I realized it was something I really enjoyed and could see myself doing long-term,” she said.
Ingrid is the first in her immediate family to attend a four-year college. Navigating the college process was uncharted territory for her and her family.
“Getting started was the hardest part,” Ingrid said. “I didn’t have anyone close to me who had gone through it recently, so I had to figure a lot out on my own.”
Through the process, Ingrid encountered a few financial challenges.
“I didn’t realize how much college would cost until I was deep into the process,” she said.
With limited family funds and rising costs, she knew scholarships would be essential. That’s when she learned about the SouthEast Bank scholarship program.
“I found an email about the scholarship a little late, but I reached out immediately,” Ingrid said. “The school told me I could still apply, and just knowing I had a chance to ease the financial burden made me feel so much better.”
Receiving the SouthEast Bank scholarship was a turning point.
“It was the highlight of my year. It meant my college experience wouldn’t be cut short because of money.”
To students from similar backgrounds, Ingrid offers this advice: “Don’t rule out your options. If there’s something you want to pursue, go for it. Ask questions and lean on your support system – teachers, counselors, anyone who can help.”
Ingrid credits her parents as her biggest motivators.
“They didn’t go to college, but they always encouraged me to. They had to work from a young age, and they saw my interest in school and nurtured it.”
Looking ahead, Ingrid is considering graduate school and is exploring Tennessee Wesleyan’s master’s program in business.
Yenifer Martinez, Tennessee Wesleyan University
For Yenifer Martinez, the journey to college was one she had to navigate largely on her own. A first-generation student from Lenoir City, Tennessee, Yenifer faced the challenge of applying to college without the guidance of family members who had gone before her.
“We didn’t know what FAFSA was or how to apply to schools,” Yenifer said. “Nobody in my immediate or extended family had ever gone to college, so I had to figure it out through trial and error.”
Now a senior at Tennessee Wesleyan University, Yenifer is majoring in biology pre-professional and preparing to apply to PA school. Alongside her studies, she volunteers as a translator with the Saint Mary’s Legacy Mobile Clinic, which provides free healthcare to uninsured people across East Tennessee.
Despite the obstacles, Yenifer was determined. Inspired by a childhood experience translating for her parents during her sister’s medical emergency, she set her sights at just 14 years old on becoming a physician assistant (PA). That moment sparked a passion for medicine and a desire to serve others, especially those facing language or access barriers.
“Volunteering with the mobile clinic has shown me how medicine can reach people outside of traditional settings,” she said. “It’s reinforced my commitment to helping underserved communities.”
While Yenifer received other financial assistance, too, her path was made more manageable thanks to the SouthEast Bank scholarship, which she earned during her freshman year.
“Once the SouthEast Bank scholarship came in, I didn’t have to pay a dime for college,” she said. “It allowed me to focus on my studies and save for grad school.”
In addition to volunteering, Yenifer works weekends at a local hospital to gain hands-on experience and support her future goals. She plans to stay in the Knoxville area after completing her education, continuing to serve the community that helped shape her journey.
Her advice to other first-generation students?
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Apply, ask questions, and seek out resources. You’re not alone, there are people and programs out there that want to help.”
SouthEast Bank is proud to support students like Yenifer through its scholarship program, which helps remove financial barriers and empower the next generation of leaders across Tennessee.
Through the SouthEast Bank Scholars program, funds are given directly to colleges and universities to then be distributed to students who qualify for scholarships. These schools include Bryan College, Cleveland State Community College, Fisk University, Johnson University, Lee University, Pellissippi State Community College, Southern Adventist University, Tennessee Wesleyan University, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Vanderbilt University.
