2011 Scholarship Award Recipients:
Angelika Arias - $2,000 Scholarship
College of New Jersey
Angelika Arias is a Hispanic of Dominican descent born in Newark, where she is a senior at Christ the King Preparatory School and an honor roll student. Being the only daughter in a family of three brothers, she has served as Youth Court Advocate and Youth Council Member of her city. She is a New Jersey Youth Delegate with the National League of Cities Council, where she has the opportunity to meet with elected officials and youth from other cities to discuss education and family solutions. Angelika thanks God every step of the way and will keep working hard to major in criminal justice with a minor in psychology to pursue a career as a lawyer and help have a less violent world.
Zindy Arias - $2,000 Scholarship
College of New Jersey
Zindy Arias is a senior at William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City. For three years, she has played on the woman's volleyball team and was named captain this year. Zindy is also vice-president of the school's Road to College organization. She often volunteers at different events in her community and is an active member of the National Honor Society.
Jonathan Candelaria - $4,000 Scholarship
Boston University
Jonathan Candelaria, born and raised in Jersey City, has maintained honors throughout his entire high school career. This June, he will graduate from Marist High School in Bayonne, as a National Honor Society member, and is anxious to begin studying pre-medicine in the fall. For Jonathan,
loving God, his family, friends, and community continue to be the most important things in his life and he hopes to combine his love for each to become a physician. He is thankful for his loving
parents, Andres and Dina, and his sister, Ileana, who have always pushed him to do the best that he can and have been there for him every step of the way.
Gabrielle Caparimo - $3,000 Scholarship
Rutgers University
Gabrielle Caparimo, a senior at Henry P. Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford,
will attend Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick in the fall of 2011. This driven young achiever makes time to volunteer, hang out with her friends, and take part in many school clubs, sports, honor societies, and band, while maintaining a top 5% ranking in her class. She makes her family proud and hopes to make them even prouder by pursuing a degree in pre-medicine. Gabrielle embraces her Hispanic heritage and hopes to set an example of success
in the medical field for young Latinas everywhere.
Keysi Castillo - $3,000 Scholarship
Ramapo College
A high-achieving student from the Dominican Republic, Keysi Castillo has set education as her main priority from an early age. After being involved in multiple activities, honor societies, and leadership positions in secondary school, she is now pursuing her undergraduate degree in Spanish education with minors in Latin American Studies and Italian at Ramapo College. Her goals include continuing to broaden her horizons by pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree after graduating from college. Keysi's drive for success will contribute to her major goal: to one day help the less fortunate.
Joshua Hoyos - $2,000 Scholarship
Rutgers University
Joshua Hoyos, son of Colombian immigrants, is currently studying at Rutgers the State University of New Jersey-Newark. He is the news editor of The Rutgers Observer, the campus newspaper on the Rutgers-Newark campus; the newsreader on WRNU, the campus radio station; and is involved with the Rutgers Center for the Study of Genocide, Conflict Resolution, and Human Rights. Joshua aspires to be a broadcast journalist with the ability to travel to any part of the world telling the stories for those who do not have a voice.
Elaine Gomez - $3,000 Scholarship
New Jersey Institute of Technology
(Mercedes-Benz Award)
Elaine Gomez, a chemical engineering student at New Jersey Institute of Technology's, continues to excel academically. She is an active volunteer tutor on her campus and is involved in environmental undergraduate research. Her project on the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can help the energy sector reduce greenhouse emissions. Elaine's goals are to pursue her passion for the environment through her research and future doctoral studies.
Melissa Santos - $4,000 Scholarship
Seton Hall University
Melissa Santos, a senior at High-Tech High School in North Bergen, will attend Seton Hall University to pursue her studies in political science and a pre-law track in the fall of 2011. Ever since a young age, she has been a bright student with many dreams that she is on the road of achieving thanks to her family. In the future, Melissa hopes to return to her community what they have given her.
Paola Severino - $4,000 Scholarship
Yale University
Paola Severino, daughter of Dominican immigrants, will graduate valedictorian of her class of 2011 at Union City High School. She is proud to represent her Hispanic heritage next fall at Yale University, where she will major in chemical engineering. Paola plans to become an avid participator in undergraduate research and aspires to become a scientific researcher. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career conducting research on cancer treatments.
Walter Sueldo - $3,000 Scholarship
Essex County College
Walter Sueldo is a passionate architecture student attending Essex County College with the intention of moving into a five-year program to pursue a bachelor's degree in architecture. A native of Peru, Walter has worked his entire life with dedication and the aspiration to achieve a successful future. Through architecture, he plans to solve the social problems of the future by developing innovative designs.
Martin Ventoso - $3,000 Scholarship
Johns Hopkins University
Martin Ventoso, born in Newark, New Jersey, is currently a senior at Saint George's School, a prep school in Rhode Island. He is a part of the Wight Foundation, an organization that helps talented students from the city of Newark attend private boarding schools. Martin, who will attend Johns Hopkins University next year, intends to pursue a premedical track and hopes to attend medical school upon graduation. He is very ambitious and plans to work hard to achieve his goals.
2011 Book Stipend Award Recipients:
Elizabeth Aguilar - $1,000 Book Stipend
University of Connecticut
Elizabeth Aguilar is a senior at Paramus Catholic High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, International Language Honor Society, and the Varsity Girls Swim Team. She has swum competitively for nine years and looks forward to swimming in college. Elizabeth will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall to study pharmacy. She is thankful for everything her parents have given her and wishes to make them proud in the future by becoming a successful pharmacist.
Ashley Cintron - $1,000 Book Stipend
Montclair State University
Ashley Cintron lives in Union City and is a sophomore at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a degree in education and thanks to HBCSF she can once again afford to buy her college textbooks. Ashley is committed to demonstrating what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. Ashley's dream is to one day repay all who have helped her achieve her goals.
Sebastian Faciolince - $1,000 Book Stipend
Bergen Community College
Sebastian was born in Medellin, Colombia and moved to the United States, when he was 14 years old. Currently, he attends Bergen Community College, where he will receive an associate degree in drafting and design technology. Afterward, he hopes to pursue bachelor and master degrees in architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Sebastian hopes to one day have his work shown all over the world, and he aspires to design a building in Dubai, while also giving back to his parents, who have made his dreams possible.
Jazmine Figueroa - $500 Book Stipend
New Jersey City University
Jazmine Figueroa is currently a sophomore at New Jersey City University, where she is pursuing a degree in P-3 Special Education and Psychology. She is an active member in her community volunteering with Girl Scouts of America and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. After graduation, she plans to continue giving back to her community by becoming a teacher and molding young minds.
Estefany Orellana - $500 Book Stipend
Bloomfield College
Estefany Orellana, originally from El Salvador, came to the United States, when she was 11 years old. As a student at Essex County Vocational Technical High School in Newark, she has taken technical courses and received training to become a dental assistant. Throughout high school, she has participated in various community service activities, been involved in the drama club and participated in the fashion show. Estefany is undecided about where she will attend college in the fall of 2011 but hopes to pursue a career as a dentist.
Christine Torres - $1,000 Book Stipend
Boston College
Christine Torres will graduate from Rahway High School in June. She intends to major in
international studies and American history. Christine looks forward to going to college to
continue to learn and meet people from all around the world. One of her main goals is to be
a bridge between America and other nations to create a more peaceful world.
Gina Vazquez - $1,000 Book Stipend
New Jersey City University
Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Gina Vazquez is currently a senior at Trenton Central High School. Upon graduation, Gina will attend New Jersey City University and major in criminal justice studies. Her goal is to become a law enforcement officer and to join the United States Air Force. Thanks to the Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc., Gina can enjoy her first year of college without worrying about the cost of books.
Jorge Ivan Gomez Wei - $1,000 Book Stipend
Bergen Community College
Jorge Ivan Gomez Wei introduces himself as a Chinese-Hispanic Jew and engages with each of these traditions. He is involved with Latino political and community groups, attends weekend Chinese school, and performs with the Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance troupe. He also has a deep appreciation for the teaching and wisdom of the Jewish religion. After completing his AAS degree in horticulture and an AS degree in business administration at Bergen Community College, Jorge plans to enroll at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey in the agricultural department.