On a mild Tuesday evening in New York, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund* (HSF) hosted a dinner celebrating 2016 scholars and their families. Volunteers assisting with the dinner at the Time Warner Center each greeted incoming scholars with free HSF goodies and genuine words of congratulations. Latin@ speakers at the dinner ranged from Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), to first-year scholarship recipients.

The mood of the room was resonant of the hardship many present had experienced — but it didn’t overshadow the joy of proud families and determined students. The scholar celebration inspired students with supportive rhetoric and positive ideologies that may not have traditionally applied to us but that we can learn to interpret towards our own lives.

1. Your scholarships are representative of your achievements, not your luck.

One word that the successful Lisa Garcia Quiroz, business executive at Time Warner, used to describe her acceptance into Harvard was “lucky.” This description is often due to, as one scholar speaker put it, the great humility with which we learn to reflect on our triumphs. Scholarships are investments granted to students who have identified their goals and expressed interest in developing as leaders in their fields. While we cannot take complete credit (after all, it takes a village!) for our achievements, we can attribute our success to our efforts more so than our lucky chances.

2. No matter where you come from, you have an even chance at your own future.

Progressive reform in the U.S. has opened up opportunities for typically marginalized peoples to works towards once unimaginable goals. The HSF and similar organizations endow minorities with assistance to reach their goals of contributing back to society. The families in this room were from all different countries and arrived in the U.S. through all different means. The scholars in the room were first, second and third generation Americans that grew up in urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods. The commonality is that the HSF Scholarship enables students to graduate from a four-year university. Despite past barriers, scholars have a fortunate present and a bright future.

3. Remember your roots.

Never forget to thank your parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, mentors — anyone and everyone who helped you become the person you are today. Every hot meal, ride to practice and kind word of recommendation has nurtured you at your beginning so that you could thrive in your future.

4. This is your privilege — pay it forward.

Once you achieve your goals, you are encouraged to help others overcome the same hurdles you had encountered. Becoming a mentor, volunteering for organizations that provide impoverished communities with information about college and offering advice in person or on social media are all ways we can contribute back to our roots while still in school!

5. Learning is limitless.

You don’t have to cap your goals at winning a scholarship, finding an internship or even securing a stable career. Let your passions determine your next steps and you will find yourself in a productively fulfilling position. HSF Scholars have studied abroad, joined the Peace Corps and attended universities across the country from their hometowns. Trust your instinct and prepare to live life learning something new about yourself and our world everyday.

*Since 1975, HSF has raised and awarded $500 million in student scholarships. These awards are typically geared towards high-achieving students of Latin@ background who exemplify promising academic accomplishment, involvement in the community and/or financial need among other characteristics. To learn more, please visit www.hsf.net.