Jenny’s Journey:  2024 Stein Family Scholarship Winner

Resilience and determination.  Two words that are perfectly fitting for Evgeniia (Jenny) Kosatykh, the 2024 recipient of the Stein Family Scholarship. Jenny's remarkable journey from war-torn Ukraine to the halls of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach is an inspiring story of survival, adaptation, and the pursuit of dreams.

Arriving in the United States just nine months ago, Jenny sought safety and stability away from the conflict in Ukraine, joining her older sister in Virginia Beach. Adjusting to life in America presented significant hurdles, particularly the language barrier. Initially hesitant to speak and afraid of making mistakes, Jenny soon found her voice. "The hardest part was the language, but now I love talking to people," she says with a laugh. Her growing fluency in English and newfound confidence reflect her ability to overcome challenges and integrate into her new community.

Despite these challenges, Jenny maintained high academic standards, mirroring her success as a valedictorian in Ukraine. Her passion for science and health steered her toward a pre-med track at Old Dominion University, with a focus on dermatology. "I’ve always been fascinated by skin care and diseases," she explains, expressing her enthusiasm for her future field.

In her application, Jenny reflected on her experiences during the war in Ukraine, "Since 2014, I have experienced hardships of war... I took constant curfews and lockdowns as an opportunity to study and work hard toward my goal of becoming a doctor." She also assisted Jewish victims of the war, highlighting her commitment to helping others even as she dealt with personal challenges. "In a surprising way, I am grateful for being a child of war; it gave me the strength and motivation to pursue things in life I wouldn’t dare pursue otherwise," she wrote.

Her resilience is inherited from her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor and long-time hospital administrator in Ukraine (now retired), who inspired Jenny to pursue a medical career. "My grandmother always said that knowledge is power," Jenny shared. "Her perseverance through adversity encouraged me to keep going, no matter the challenges."

Jenny is grateful for the support she's received from the local Jewish community, highlighting the significant impact of the Stein Family Scholarship. This support has helped alleviate financial burdens and opened doors to opportunities for her. As she prepares for university, Jenny's outlook on the future is promising. "I don’t know what the future holds; I do hope it is only because it has not been created yet, and the best way to predict it is to invent it. It is our jobs as human beings to spread love and kindness by being there for each other and promoting peace not war." 

This year, the Stein Family Scholarship offers up to $20,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $80,000, contingent on maintaining a 3.0 GPA and good standing at the university. For more information, visit https://foundation.jewishva.org