Her single-parent mother has sacrificed much to try to lift Paloma Perez out of a difficult childhood, and the effort is already paying off.

The Oxford High School graduate and aspiring CFO received a solid foundation thanks to the Chester County Futures program, and now the first-generation college student, a junior at West Chester University, has won a $10,000 Voya Scholars award.

“At Voya, we know that education and financial literacy are vital to a fulfilling life — to and through retirement,” said Rodney O. Martin Jr., Chairman and CEO of Voya Financial.

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Perez was one of five scholarship recipients who exemplify Voya Financial’s corporate values and participated in a Voya Financial or Voya Foundation charitable program — in her case, Chester County Futures.

“My education means an opportunity to make my mother’s sacrifices, as well as mine, worthwhile,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for a better future and an opportunity to give back one day to students, similar to how many individuals and organizations have helped me out.”

Perez is majoring in accounting and finance.