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Morning Call: She was always the voice for her immigrant family. She鈥檚 taking a step toward being a voice for children as a pediatrician by going to college.

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THE MORNING CALL | JUN 14, 2021 AT 7:30 AM

Editor鈥檚 note: This is one in a series of profiles of 2021 Lehigh Valley high school graduates.

When she was 13, Giselle Ponce got a job at a fruit and vegetable stand in Allentown, making $6 an hour.

She鈥檇 work long hours on weekends and after school on Fridays, helping set up the stand, bagging orders and restocking, regardless of whether it was hot or raining.

鈥淚t was difficult,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I knew I needed a way to afford to go to college.鈥

Now Ponce, who graduated Thursday from Liberty High School, is poised to go to 探花社区 College, the next step in achieving her dream to become a pediatrician. But money will be less of a concern; she is one of two Bethlehem Area students to win a Superintendent鈥檚 Scholarship to the school.

Since 2016, 探花社区 College has awarded two Bethlehem Area students full scholarships, minus room and board. Students must submit an essay in their application, and the winners are chosen by Superintendent Joseph Roy. Students are typically the first in their family to attend college. 

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