Why I Give

A bright smile and a kind heart are  what first comes to mind when we think about our son, Jonathan. He grew up in Bethesda in a stable, educated, and warm family. He participated in sports and attended MCPS. While Jonathan’s dyslexia impacted his academic perfor- mance, his intellect and resilience played in his favor. But with time he became unseen by his peers, his teachers, and the system. Judgment, disappointment, and insecurity followed him, until he discovered Montgomery College.

The day Jonathan registered for classes, he appeared taller, and his smile was brighter. He chose construction management, became the vice-president of the Student Construction Association, and graduated in 2016. He transferred to the Universities at Shady Grove to pursue his bachelor’s degree. When others  turned their backs on him, Montgomery College helped him open his wings and fly high. 

 

When Jonathan died unexpectedly in June 2019, we knew that his dream of helping others was now in our hands. The Jonathan Diehl Scholarship supports students pursuing a career in construction management. When we receive letters from his scholarship recipients, we feel Jonathan is smiling down on us because his scholarship is about making dreams come true and giving hope.

We give to ensure that other students will have the same opportunities our son Jonathan had. We hope you will join us.

Cristina Rabadán-Diehl and Michael Diehl