This article originally ran Sept. 18, 2009 on nj.com
The North Ward Center awarded five scholarships to Newark students of Puerto Rican descent at its annual Puerto Rican Scholarship Dinner.
The scholarships, valued at $1,000, were awarded to four college students and one high school student.
The annual scholarship dinner was started in 1980 to recognize students of Puerto Rican descent who have exhibited academic excellence and triumphed over adversity.
“The scholarship dinner has become an annual tradition at The North Ward Center where we recognize the talented, smart and motivated students of our community,” said Stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward Center. “We hope our scholarships will help these students achieve their dreams.”
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said she is impressed by the quality of students who receive scholarships each year.
“Every year, we award scholarships to the best and brightest in our community,” Davis said. “These students are great ambassadors for Newark. They have achieved so much in their lives already and we are confident they will accomplish the goals they have set for themselves.
Narvaez said the scholarships are more than just about financial aid.
“We did this to recognize the students for their accomplishments,” Narvaez said. “In turn they have an opportunity to recognize their families and friends. They also have the opportunity to speak in front a large group.”
Two of the scholarships are being named after two prominent community leaders who passed away this year: Federico Velez and state Assemblyman Eric Munoz.
Velez, who died Feb. 14, was an attorney with an office on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark. He served on the board of trustees of The North Ward Center and first got involved with the center after attending a scholarship dinner. His daughter, Bridget, presented the scholarship in his name.
Munoz, who died March 30, was a trauma surgeon and professor of surgery at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He served on the city council of his hometown of Summit before being appointed to a vacant seat in the state Assembly in 2001. He was elected to four terms. He was a longtime friend of The North Ward Center. His wife, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, presented the scholarship in his name.
The other award presenters were Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., Dr. Jose Aviles, who is the principal of Barringer High School and Marcelino Trillo, a teacher and high school placement officer at Robert Treat Academy.
The students who received scholarships are:
Wilfredo Burgos, a freshman at Seton Hall University who is majoring in sports management, plans to attend law school and become a sports agent. He attended St. Benedict’s Prep high school in Newark.
“I want to prove to everyone that you can do what you set your mind to no matter where you are from,” Wilfredo said. “I just hope to be an example to the Puerto Rican community and give back as well.”
Monica I. Hernandez, a freshman at Saint Peters College in Jersey City, is a pre-med major who plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician. She attended Saint Vincent Academy.
“With a medical degree, I intend to help many children in the city of Newark,” Monica said. “I am determined to become one of the best doctors out in the world and with my intelligence, I will help those in need no questions asked.”
Krystal Perez, a freshman at Montclair State University, who is studying English with a concentration in creative writing. She plans to become a writer. Krystal attended Arts High School.
“As a young Puerto Rican female, I have to work harder to be able to accomplish the goals I have set for myself,” Krystal said. “I have not used my upbringing as a crutch where I have disabled myself from setting goals and reaching them. I hope to be a role model for the next generation beginning with my younger sister and brother.”
Sophia Tolbert, a freshman at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, is studying public health with a minor in biology. She plans to attend medical school and become an obstetrician/gynecologist. She attended Science Park High School.
“Being a young Puerto Rican woman growing up in Newark, the odds of me graduating high school and even thinking about going to college and actually graduating are against me,” Sophia said. “Being able to graduate and receive a college degree is something I desired since I was a freshman in high school. Not only will I prove those who were against me becoming successful wrong, I will be able to maintain a career and support my family.”
Donavin Matos, a freshman at Wyoming Seminar High School in Kingston, Pa., graduated from The Robert Treat Academy with honors. Donavin stood out among his peers due to his academic and athletic achievements. He was an active participant in nearly all of the enrichment activities the academy had to offer.
Over the years he’s been a member of the RTA basketball team, debate club, Stand and Deliver program, soccer team, student newspaper, and stock market club as well as an array of other student activities. Outside school, he excelled in activities such as soccer, basketball and baseball programs offered by the North Ward recreation leagues. Donavin spent his summers at academic camps such as the prestigious Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program and an NJIT early engineering program.
