News and Stories

Sitting Down with Honey and Christine

Honey Kim is a recent graduate of Spokane Community College, graduating from the business program this winter.

We sat down with her to hear her story after she was recommended by Christine DeGeare, our Scholarship and Alumni Relations Manager.

Christine has known Honey since she first got started at SCC.

“I’m really proud of her and all she’s accomplished,” Christine said.

Honey is originally from Myanmar, Burma. Her family is still there, where her mother owns a shop in Honey’s hometown. Honey hopes to someday follow in her mother’s footsteps, but she also hopes to be an accountant thanks to her degree from SCC.

She never dreamed of studying in the states. But war in her home country made Honey decide to pursue her education in the U.S. When she researched for opportunities, she realized SCC would be the best fit. Plus, her aunt lives here in Spokane, so Honey could stay with her and still be close to family.

Honey found a real community at SCC.

“I love this place,” she said.

Faculty and friends helped her when she needed support, and later, she provided support to fellow students. In her job with Associated Student Government, she would often help her peers. She even helped another Burmese student apply for scholarships!

Her work and the scholarship she was awarded supported Honey while she was a student, and having that financial support took a lot of pressure off of her mom back home.

“With the exchange rate, 4,000 Kyat (Burmese currency) is more like $1. My mom could breathe easier thanks to scholarships,” Honey said.

Now, Honey is continuing her education in business out of state. We know that, in all of her work, she’ll continue to give back to the community she found here in Spokane.

“Although she was nervous applying for scholarships, Honey did not let that stop her," Christine said. "I admire her perseverance, and I believe she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. She invested the time in herself and in her education and I am thrilled that one of the stops on her journey included Spokane Community College and Spokane Colleges Foundation.”

You can support students like Honey, who are making their futures possible, too!