2020 Scholarship Recipient
Marcus Lo
2020 All-Star Scholarship Recipient – In Memory of MLB Umpire Eric Cooper
Where are you from, where are you going to school, and have you chosen a major?
I’m from Palm Beach California and I’m going to USC (the University of Southern California). I’ll be studying business administration.
How did you find out about the All-Star Scholarship?
I found out through multiple sources – from my college/ career counselor as well as some online digging I did on my own. This is right in my lane so I wanted to shoot my shot.
What’s what thing about you most people don’t know?
I love cooking and baking.
Do you feel that being adopted gives you a different perspective on life than your peers?
Initially, it sure did. After my father passed away [the pain] was so fresh. During high school I did not tell anyone about my background or situation. I acted like an upbeat Asian guy – cracking jokes, but at home I had a really hard time. I didn’t want to act sad at school. At first it was really hard for me but later on I started to see my need and potential for growth, from junior year to now I started to get into social entrepreneurship. Its amazing how in a short span I’ve gotten out of my discomfort and feeling of being an outcast and I have seen I can be a beacon of hope….especially for other kids. I spoke at my local rotary club and interacted with so many outstanding corporate officials sharing my desires and inspiring others!
I know that being afraid would only hinder my potential but if I can use my background to inspire others it just opens more doors.
Tell me about your family and your adoption story.
My mother passed away from cancer when I was four and my father passed away when I was in the middle of high school. It was really hard. My uncle decided to take me in. He saw I was a traumatized orphan child – he felt from the bottom of his heart it would be the right decision to help young Marcus. He saw I had a lot of potential but knew I needed some polishing. He took me under his wing, taught me things, took me out to eat or on trips like to San Francisco on top of caring for his own family. I’m still close with him but eventually transitioned to move in with my grandmother. When I shifted from being more dependent to more independent, I moved in with my mom’s mother to help care for her. Recently, I worked with her brothers to make sure everything is set an she is living with them while I transition to college – all on top of my side hustles.
What are some things you want to accomplish during school?
I’m very entrepreneurial I want to use my network to help others in need, and keep rising. I want to have at least three businesses created by the time I graduate – so far I’ve got one so I’ve got two more to go. I want to be able to network with more people and work with them on new projects. I want to be out there, collaborating and fully appreciating what the school has to offer.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
I would like to be on Mars with Elon Musk watching Anime.
This year, the All-Star College Scholarship Program is especially meaningful because UMPS CARE is recognizing the legacy of Major League Baseball umpire Eric Cooper, who passed away in October 2019. Does this add to the impact of you being named the recipient of the scholarship?
This award means a lot. I read a lot about Eric Cooper, and it made me even more honored to be the winner of this award. I truly want to be a representative of UMPS CARE, not just a recipient.