A 17-year-old, Cleveland girl just received a gift that will help her on her way to becoming the first person to go to college in her family.
Zayllianny Mojica, her mother and two siblings relocated to New York from Puerto Rico. From New York, they moved to Pennsylvania and eventually Cleveland.\
The family said they were escaping domestic violence.
"It was hard. I want to help her, but I can't. I don't have the power,” said Mojica.
Her mother said she suffered beatings at the hand of her husband. "Being in jail, I think, opened up his eyes a lot," said Mojica.
She said drugs eventually led to his arrest.
"You don't realize how the kids are getting affected," said mother, Zayliana Mojica. “My main thing is to always be strong for my kids."
The family sought refuge in the Boys and Girls Club. For the years of participation and consistency, Mojica received a scholarship. She will attend Cleveland State in the fall.
"I want to help people who have been things that I've been through,” said Zayllianny.
On April 8 she will represent Cleveland in a regional competition for a scholarship.
