Yael, Marion, Michael, & Marshall Kitchell awarding 2017 NRMS to Dariel and Blessan. Dariel said he would “often dream of growing up and having a career that would make a change in the world. I want to make positive contributions to society and give back…. I want to be able to bring education to people that do not have the ability or are unable to access resources that would influence their learning experience.” Blessan moved to New York from India when he was 14 years old and is now graduating Richmond Hill High School.
Dariel is graduating Richmond Hill High School and plans to study Computer Science.
Yael awarding the 2017 NRMS to Blessan. Blessan said, “It was hard for me in the beginning because of the language, but I did not give up. My English teachers helped me to improve my English.”
In his application, Ferdy, who is graduating Fox Lane High School, wrote: “I came from Guatemala, following the American Dream. There’s been many obstacles in this journey to my success and the only problem that I can’t solve is money even though I’ve worked since I was 7 years old…. I want to help my family and pay them back for everything they’ve done. I’m going to be the first person to graduate from college in my family. This is not only my dream but also my family’s dream.” Although finances prohibit Ferdy from attending his college of choice, he’s planning to study at a community college and then attend a CUNY school.
Yael at Richmond Hills High Awards Ceremony with 2107 Scholarship recipient Blessan. Blessan was accepted to all six colleges he applied to and plans to study computer engineering in order to have a “positive impact on my family, friends, work and society I live in.”
Jeff has just finished his second year at a 4-year SUNY university. He is the treasurer of the UNICEF Club, the educational coordinator of the National Association of Black Accountants, an organization that helps minority students and the vice president of the Breakdance Club which he and some other students helped revive on campus! Jeff’s major is Financial Economics and he reflects that despite hardships in his life “all my life experiences have led me to where I am now.” To the NRMS, he says, “Thank you so much!” Jeff also just completed a program called Inroads to help prepare him for corporate interviews for internships. He’s completed that process and is hoping to be able to interview for summer internships.
Ivan comes from a small town in the northwestern region of Bulgaria. He plans to major in chemical engineering and hopes to “reinvent the way we think of fuel and what we consider as fuel for our cars and trucks.” He is a 2017 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School where he took challenging courses and participated in the IB Diploma Programme’s “Creativity, Activity and Service” which involved participating in a range of activities alongside his academic work. Ivan gave freely of his time to help tutor others including English language learners. He participated in the school’s International Club and created a film about the International Baccalaureate’s IB Learner Profile at Dobbs Ferry High School. Ivan will be attending Syracuse University.
We just met with Maria who is a renewal recipient. Last year Maria graduated from Fox Lane HS. She just told us that her 3.6 average at a four-year college put her on the dean’s list! After visiting her native Colombia for a few weeks, Maria will be babysitting all summer and returning to college in September. She is pictured in front of the entrance to Fox Lane HS.
Tanzim is currently a sophomore at Queens College, with a double major in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering (at Columbia University). He came to the United States from Bangladesh 5 years ago. “For most immigrants, it is hard to pursue college, seeing as the majority do not have the capability to pay the college tuition. The families are busy trying to earn enough to just get by and there isn’t enough savings to send their children to college. My situation was quite similar. However, thanks to the help of the Neil Reich Memorial Scholarship I can pay my book fees and part of my tuition. I am very grateful for this opportunity that Neil Reich Memorial Scholarship has given me.”