2020 EAST HAVEN
UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
As it has for so many things, the COVID-19 pandemic made
2020 an unusual year for the East Haven Unity Fund. The public health emergency caused the
cancellations of its annual fund raising event at Bistro Mediterranean and the East
Haven High School Scholarship Night, at which the Unity Fund usually presents
its scholarship awards.
But thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, who
contributed even without a fund raising event, and the spirit of East Haven
High School, which held a postponed, COVID-friendly July graduation, the East
Haven Unity Fund still presented the organization’s ninth annual scholarship
awards. The recipients were announced in
connection with the graduation ceremonies on July 11, 2020.
We are proud to report that this year’s three deserving
recipients, selected by the school’s Scholarship Committee, are Katherine Garcia, Andreina Magaña, and Araceli Tello. Each receives a $500 scholarship award from
the East Haven Unity Fund.
Katherine is an excellent student who received
academic awards for outstanding performance in numerous courses. She earned honors in every quarter of her
high school career, including high honors in almost all of them. Katherine’s extracurricular activities
included Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), National Honor
Society, the Yearbook, and the Hagaman Teen Advisory Group. For her Capstone Project in connection with an
internship at Deer Run Elementary School, Katherine created a version of a
“flipped classroom” for the second grade class.
Katherine plans to attend the University of New Haven, where she intends
to major in Forensic Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice, with the goal of
becoming a Victim Advocate.
Andreina has an impressive record of academic
achievement, extracurricular accomplishment, and community service. Her outstanding classroom performance helped
her to earn the St. Michael’s College and Smith College Book Awards, and she
was a Questbridge College Prep Scholar and Finalist. She was named an East Haven Public Schools
Student of the Month and received an award for Outstanding Performance in Modern
World History. Andreina was also
selected to attend the START Leadership Conference. Her many extracurricular activities included
the Cross Country Team (where she earned the Sportsmanship Award and Coaches
Award), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), National Honor Society,
Yearbook, and Athletes for Academics Club.
She also found time to organize a Car Seat Safety Program, pack lunches
for the homeless, and intern at a dental office. Andreina plans to attend the University of
Connecticut.
Araceli compiled a glowing academic record during
her high school career, earning honors or high honors in every quarter. She was honored by the East Haven Rotary
Club, received a COLT Award, and was named as an EHHS Student of the Month. Araceli’s many extracurricular activities
included the Hagaman Teen Advisory Group, EHHS Coop Marching Band, and
EHHS Winterguard. She served as the
President of HOSA Future Health Professionals and was an East Haven Blood Drive
Volunteer. Araceli plans to continue her
education at the University of Connecticut.
2019 EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
At the East Haven High School Scholarship Night on May 29,
2019, the East Haven Unity Fund presented the organization’s eighth annual
scholarship awards.
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| From left to right, Natalie DeJesus, Christine Jaramillo, and Kellyjohana Ahumada |
Trustee Jacqueline Albis attended the scholarship event to
announce the three deserving recipients selected by the school’s Scholarship
Committee: Natalie DeJesus, Christine Jaramillo, and Kellyjohana
Ahumada. On behalf of the East Haven Unity Fund, Mrs.
Albis presented each student with a $500 scholarship award.
Natalie earned
letters for the Pom Pom team and varsity girls’ soccer. Her extracurricular activities included the
Yearbook Committee and dance. She
performed community service by coaching youth teams. In
addition to her school work and activities, Natalie maintained a job in which
her duties included training other employees.
Natalie plans to continue
her education at Sacred Heart University.
Christine is a
member of the National Honor Society whose numerous other honors included the
COLT Poetry Award, Geometry Award, and the Athlete Academic Excellence award. She played on the girls’ soccer and basketball
teams. In addition, Christine was a
member of the Debate Team, Drama Club, and EHHS Choir. She plans to attend Quinnipiac University.
Kellyjohana earned honors throughout her high school
career. She received awards for Outstanding
Performances in Spanish II Honors, U.S. Government, and Criminal Law. Her extracurricular activities included the
Multicultural Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Debate Club,
and Creative Club. Kellyjohana will attend
the University of Connecticut (Storrs) where she plans to major in Political
Science.
2018 EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
At the East Haven High School Scholarship Night held at the
school on June 7, 2018, the East Haven Unity Fund presented the organization’s
seventh annual scholarship awards.
Trustee Jacqueline Albis attended the scholarship event to
announce the two deserving recipients selected by the school’s Scholarship
Committee: Estefania Melchor and Christie Gutierrez. On behalf of the East Haven Unity Fund, Mrs.
Albis presented each student with a $500 scholarship award.
Estefania ranks
in the top ten percent of her class and is a member of the National Honor
Society. She earned the Spanish 3 Honors
Award and the Art 1 Award. Estefania served
as the President of the Books and Brownies Club and was a member of the Gay-Straight
Alliance and the Multicultural Club. Outside
of school, she volunteered at the Connecticut Food Bank. After graduation Estefania will attend Southern
Connecticut State University.
2017 EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
At the East Haven High School Scholarship Night held at the
school on June 7, 2017, the East Haven Unity Fund presented the organization’s
sixth annual scholarship awards. In
addition to the two scholarships that the Unity Fund has traditionally awarded
each year, a third scholarship was made possible this year by the generosity of
an anonymous donor.
Trustee Jacqueline Albis attended the scholarship event to
announce the three deserving recipients selected by the school’s Scholarship
Committee: Reinaldo Martinez, Gabriela
Tapia, and David Hernandez, Jr. Mrs.
Albis presented each student with a $500 scholarship award.
Reinaldo earned
honors during all four years of his high school career. He was a member of the varsity track and
football teams throughout high school; during his senior year he was a track
team captain and received the “Coach Award.”
Outside of school, Reinaldo volunteered at Kingdom Life Christian Church
in its children’s ministry. He also
worked to raise awareness in his school and community about muscular dystrophy,
a disease which claimed the life of his cousin. Reinaldo also raised funds for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association in honor of his cousin. After graduation Reinaldo plans to attend Southern
Connecticut State University.
Gabriela finished
in the top 10% of her class, earning the COLT CT Award for Excellence and the Wells College Book Award. During her
high school career she has been a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams,
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and the Diversity Club. She also participated in the Health
Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and served as the group’s president
during her senior year. Gabriela earned
membership in the National Honor Society in her junior and senior years. In addition to her school activities,
Gabriela is a long -time dance student with a special interest in ballet. For
her senior Capstone experience she used her ballet experience to teach dance to
a younger group of girls. Gabriela plans
to attend Fairfield University in the fall of 2017.
David ranked in
the top 15% of his class. His awards included
the COLT CT Award for Excellence and the Scholar Athlete Award. David was a member of the varsity football
and soccer teams. He also participated
in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). As the result in his interest in the medical
field, David competed in state conferences for CPR and First Aid, and was a
member of the Interdisciplinary Health Care Team. He took on a leadership role for each of his
teams for these events, and he attended related international conferences in
Florida and Tennessee. After
graduation David intends to continue his education at Southern Connecticut
State University.
2016 EAST HAVEN
UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
At the East Haven High School Scholarship Night held at the
school on May 31, 2016, the East Haven Unity Fund presented the organization’s
fifth annual scholarship awards to two outstanding students of Latino descent. Trustee Jacqueline Albis attended the event to announce
the deserving recipients selected by the school’s Scholarship Committee: Meyvelin Delgado and Melissa Palma. Mrs.
Albis presented each student with a $500 scholarship award.
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| Meyvelin Delgado |
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| Melissa Palma |
2015 EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
At this year’s East Haven High School Awards Ceremony held
June 1, 2015, the East Haven Unity Fund presented the group’s fourth annual
scholarship awards to two outstanding students of Latino descent. Trustee Jacqueline Albis was present to
announce the deserving recipients, selected by the Scholarship Committee of
East Haven High School: Danny Melendez
and Elizabeth Muralles. Each receives a $500 scholarship award.
DANNY MELENDEZ
ELIZABETH MURALLES
Elizabeth ranks in the top 10% of her class, earning Honors
or High Honors throughout her high school career. She was a member of Health Occupations
Students of America (HOSA) and the Multicultural Club. During high school Elizabeth performed
community service which was extraordinary in its amount and breadth. She completed over 250 hours of service at
Yale-New Haven Hospital, in addition to 130 community service hours abroad in
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. In the
fall of 2015, she will attend Quinnipiac University. Elizabeth’s parents and grandparents were
born in Guatemala.
2014 EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
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| Trustee Jacqueline Albis announces the names of the recipients |
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| Vanesa Suarez receives her award |
The annual East Haven High School Awards Ceremony was held
at the school on May 28, 2014, and the East Haven Unity Fund was there to
present the group’s third annual scholarship awards. Trustee Jacqueline Albis proudly presented two
scholarship awards of $500 each to outstanding students of Latino descent. This year’s deserving recipients, selected by
the Scholarship Committee of East Haven High School, are Gabriella Comesanas and
Vanesa Suarez.
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| Gabriella Comesanas |
Gabriella ranks in the top 6% of her class. She was chosen the Hugh O’Brian Youth
Leadership Representative for her class, earned the Colt Award for excellence
in foreign language recitation, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Gabriella’s many extracurricular activities include
varsity softball, Science Club, and SADD (Students Against Destructive
Decisions). Beyond her school activities,
she has worked for the YMCA in several capacities, including volunteering to
teach children to swim. In the fall of
2014, she will attend the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, where
she plans to study marine biology. Gabriella’s
grandfather was born in Cuba and her grandmother in Ecuador.
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| Vanesa Suarez |
Vanesa ranks in the top third of her class and received the
award for Academic Excellence in United States History. Her extracurricular activities at the school
have included SADD, Multicultural Club, and various community service
efforts. Outside of school, she has
volunteered for Unidad Latina en Acción, an organization that works for the legal
rights of workers and immigrants. In
addition to her studies and many activities, Vanesa has also held part-time
jobs during much of her high school career.
In September 2014 she will attend Central Connecticut State University where she plans to major in Political Science. After college she intends to pursue a law
degree. Vanesa and her family were born
in Peru.
The second annual East
Haven Unity Fund scholarships were presented at the annual East Haven High
School Awards ceremonies held May 30, 2013. Trustee Jacqueline Albis
proudly presented two scholarship awards of $500 each to outstanding graduating
seniors of Latino heritage. The two award recipients were Cindy
Recinos and Carolyn Hanlon.
Carolyn Hanlon, pictured at left with Trustee Jacqueline Albis, will begin her freshman year at Southern Connecticut State University in the fall of 2013.
Cindy Recinos, shown
below with Mrs. Albis, will attend the University of Connecticut
GOVERNOR
RECOGNIZES EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES
On June, 12, 2012,
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy invited the recipients of the first East
Haven Unity Fund scholarship awards to his office at the State Capitol to
recognize their achievements. Governor Malloy also welcomed the families
of the two students, Alisia Cintron and Kathleen Torres. In attendance at
the meeting with the Governor were Jacqueline and Michael Albis, the founders of
the Unity Fund; Elizabeth Franco-Spano, a Trustee of the Fund; and East Haven
State Representative James Albis. Governor Malloy congratulated the
students and their families and discussed the recipients' college plans with
them. He also acknowledged the community's support for the worthy goals
of the Fund.
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Governor
Dannel P. Malloy meets with the recipients of the 2012 East Haven Unity Fund
scholarship awards.
From
left are Michael Albis (co-founder of the Fund), recipient Kathleen Torres,
Governor Malloy, recipient Alisia Cintron, Jacqueline Albis (co-founder and
Trustee), State Rep. James M. Albis, and Elizabeth Franco-Spano
(Trustee)
|
2012
EAST HAVEN UNITY FUND AWARD RECIPIENTS
At the East Haven High
School Awards ceremony held May 23, 2012, the Trustees of the East Haven Unity
Fund presented its first-ever scholarships, awarding $500 dollars each to two
graduating seniors of Latino heritage. The recipients are Alisia
Cintron and Kathleen Torres.
Ms. Cintron, whose
father and paternal grandparents were born in Puerto Rico, will attend Albertus
Magnus College of New Haven in the fall of 2012. She plans to pursue a
major in psychology, and hopes to use her degree to enter a career in the field
of holistic health. On receiving the Unity Fund scholarship Ms.
Cintron said, “I really appreciate this scholarship because my dad’s family
experienced discrimination, and I
really appreciate the money to go toward my education.”
Alisia Cintron receives her award from Trustees
Jacqueline Albis and Elizabeth Franco-Spano
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| Kathleen Torres accepts her award from the Trustees |
Ms. Torres’ parents are
both natives of Ecuador who moved to the United States approximately twenty
years ago. She will attend Sacred Heart University of Fairfield in
September, 2012, where she plans to pursue pre-med studies. Ms. Torres,
whose ultimate goal is a medical career as an oncologist, also expressed her
appreciation for the scholarship. “I’m very grateful because my mom’s a
single mom with three kids. This scholarship will really help us and I’m
thankful for it.”