Wenley’s education journey began in Haiti, where his early years of elementary school were marked by curiosity and a passion for learning. Despite facing financial challenges in high school, he graduated with the help of a scholarship, fueled by his passion for computer science. Upon attending university in Haiti, he balanced his studies with work at a telecommunication company and engaged in rewarding research projects. However, political issues in Haiti led him to leave his family and move to the United States. His life in the U.S. took a positive turn when he found the Asian American Civic Association (AACA), where he immersed himself in American culture and the English language. He then successfully applied to UMass Boston but faced challenges with out-of-state tuition. Despite this setback, he graduated from AACA and embarked on a cybersecurity training program at Per Scholas in Cambridge. This is where he found fulfillment in connecting with peers in the IT field and making progress in his career. The scholarship from First Literacy has been a blessing making it possible for Wenley to continue his education at UMass Boston and pursue his bachelor’s degree in computer science. His dream is to become a computer science engineer.
Wenley is also the 2026-2027 recipient of the Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship*.
*The Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship has been named in memory of Tom Brunnick, who immigrated to the United States in 1921, escaping poverty and civil war in his home country of Ireland in search of a better life. He worked tirelessly to pursue his own dreams, and was ultimately able to raise five children and buy a house in his adopted home city of Boston. He was fortunate to be part of a community that supported one another; Tom’s family hopes that through this award, scholars can experience being part of a supportive community, as well.