On May 23, 2008, the first scholarship in Stephanie's name was granted to Christine Rivas graduating candidate of Grover Cleveland High School class of 2008 in Ridgewood, Queens-New York. The scholarship was granted for Christine's involvement and invested interest in the arts.
Selecting Christine for the scholarship was unconventional and very easy. As members of the audience at the school's Awards Ceremony the week prior, we noticed Christine quickly. Christine stood out with her numerous awards in music and drama. She was also seen singing with the school's choir. All of which Stephanie was passionate about. Christine displayed pure talent and love for the arts. Good reason for her to be a perfect recepient.
Unfortunately, the scholarship was not created until after the awards ceremony but given to her with great pride in the college office with Ms. R. Sternlieb, the school's college advisor, and Ms. Sabrina Burgos, Stephanie's sister, as the presenter of the award. There are no pictures but here is the letter presented to Christine below.
Christine agreed to maintain contact with the family on a regular basis which were the only terms in which she will continue to receive the scholarship for her four years of college.
Thank you Christine for living Stephanie's dream.
Stephanie, thank you for continuing to live in our hearts. Because of you, we are able to help someone else who wants to live your dreams.
LETTER ADDRESSED TO CHRISTINE RIVAS:
May 23, 2008
Dear Christine Rivas,
We want to award you with our first scholarship of $500 honoring our granddaughter, daughter, sister and niece, Stephanie Marie Burgos.
Stephanie Marie Burgos was born on March 1, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York, to a single parent household. Stephanie was raised with two older sisters and younger brother in the Canarsie area of Brooklyn, where she attended the New York City public school system up to the 7th grade. She moved to Durham, North Carolina, where her mother sought a better life for herself and her children. Despite the change, her academic experience was always a challenge met with much struggle as she suffered from a learning disability that impeded on her school performance. Stephanie’s talent was not reading and writing but in the area of the fine arts. Her passion for singing, dancing and piano playing led her to perform at school and home. We remember her roles in school performances and her frequent spontaneous singing during family reunions. She was a natural born star waiting for the opportunity to shine.
On September 15, 2005, we lost Stephanie Marie to a tragic car accident in Durham, North Carolina. That very morning, her grandmother remembers her walking out from her home with an art project which she so diligently worked on the night before. Stephanie’s death was a tragic unexpected moment that has weighed heavily on all our hearts.
The pain of losing our sweet, loving and charismatic Stephanie is hard, but we know our star continues to shine above. This scholarship was created in her honor. We know she would want us to support someone like herself in their dreams to pursue a career in the fine arts. Knowing Stephanie, she is probably smiling down happy to see that the recipient of this scholarship is fulfilling the dreams that were once hers. It would be an honor to give you the scholarship for the next four years with the condition that you provide written updates on your academic and career pursuits.
Stephanie always spoke her mind and never backed down from a difficult situation nor was ever easily defeated. She was proud of who she was and dreamt what most would believe to be the impossible.
Please keep reaching for those stars and never give up. Congratulations on your receipt of this award and on your graduation from Grover Cleveland High School!
Sincerely,
Stephanie’s family
