Fifth Year Anniversary - Stephanie Marie Burgos March 1, 1989 - September 15, 2005

Stephanie,

You have always wanted to be a star
Now is your time to sing to the angels
and earn your star.

When we all look up to the sky,
We all will then see the brightest star,
and know you've made it.

We will always Love You, Stephanie.

~Silvia Agrinsoni, mom 9/2005


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Too Young To Die

I wonder if they saw her

I wonder if they cared

I wonder if they even knew that she was there

She knew that it was dark

When she crossed that street

I wonder if she even heard those tires squeak.

I wonder how she felt

Lying in that room

Never knowing that her life

Would be over so soon

But even though she might not know

I still can't tell a lie

The thing that hurts me most is

She was too young to die

Just a high school sophomore

With dreams waiting to fly.

Now her life has stopped

Her blood has ceased to flow

I still can't understand

and I want to know

Why she dies that morning

and why I can't let go

I hardly even knew her

But it still makes me cry

When I think of this one fact:

She was too young to die



Author: E.S. McLaughlin 10/9/05

www.fictionpress.com/read.php?storyid=2009946

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Dearest Stephanie,

You were once a sparkling eyed vibrant young child who grew up to be
one beautiful, talented and sweet young lady.

Your life was cut way to short and your dreams were not fulfilled by you but
know that because of you this scholarship was created and many will be
fulfilling what was once your dream. Your star will shine forever.

Although our hearts bleed from losing you so quickly we know someday
we will meet again. We love and miss you sweetheart.

Love,
Your Aunt Titi Diana 9/14/10

Recepient Update: Our Second Recepient, Richard Bohan September 2010

September 10, 2010

To the Family of Stephanie Burgos,

I would like to thank you again for having chosen me to receive this scholarship, and would like to apologize for being a knuckle-head and not writing to you sooner! However, this year was such a whirlwind that, in retrospect, I could not have written a satisfactory letter without enough time to reflect.

The college I picked is everything I dreamed of, and more, I wish you guys could see how amazing the countryside of upstate New York is, stark but beautiful contrast to our own wonderful city. Though many students refer to St. Lawrence University as the epitome of "the middle of nowhere", I think they underestimate how much its quiet and serene environment can impact a kid who grew up in a neighborhood known for being loud. Not that I did not love New York City, but I needed a real lesson on autonomy, what puts the liberal arts, and that in a nutshell is St. Lawrence University.

I gained a new sense of independence not simply by living away from home (although it did help), but also having the opportunity to explore my many passions and dreams through this school. Yes, it certainly is very far away from any big city, but I appreciate that it is free from distractions, as it is a place built primarily on the principle of enriching knowledge. The small classrooms kicked me into gear, as I made an effort to let my opinions and ideas be heard. I made an effort to not only absorb the material in all my classes, but to also contribute to it, which made me realize how learning is very much a collaborative effort.

You will be proud to know that not only did I focus on my studies and maintained a good average, but I also pursued a social life with very wonderful, educated people from all parts of the country and from different sides of the world! Through my network of friends, I was able to travel to a lot of new and interesting places. I visited Vermont with my roommate, and went to the city of Burlington. I visited Canada twice, even the St. Lawrence River and its amazing thousand islands. However, my most memorable experience was going to Washington DC, as I participated in the National Equality March, which supported equal rights for the LBGT community. It was my first work of real activism, and felt like a part of history. As I write this, I am already planning on going next semester to London. Our school has an amazing study abroad program that gives students from low income families, such as myself, the opportunity to visit other countries and learn about different cultures.

Though London has always been a dream of mine, I was hesitant to apply at first because it is a lot of pressure. I wondered to myself, what if I don't get in? Then, I thought back to awards nite in Grover Cleveland, and receiving the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship. I thought about the brave girl who could have achieved her dreams, if it were not for tragedy. There are many who could have been in my place, and seized the opportunity straight away; I could not let the people who believed in me, such as yourselves, down... So I have begun the application process. I have also begun working longer shifts as the Deli at our school, in order to afford the plane ticket to London. I will do whatever it takes to achieve my dreams, because I realize that life is precious to not even try.

Wish me luck,

Richard Bohan

Recepient Update: Our First Recepient, Christine Rivas May 2010

May 5, 2010

Hello Stephanie's Family,

Things have changed a lot for me since I last wrote you. First, I have officially declared my major. I am now working on my Bachelors in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. Its a concentration in the wider scale B.A. in English degree, with a few extra classes I have to take for the concentration. I've already taken Playwriting and I've decided I want to use my college education to become a professional screenwriter. I finished my very first script in that class, and I'm working on revising it. It's a play off Romeo and Juilet, with a twist of Alice in Wonderland. It was very interesting experience to write and think in the shoes of classic characters like that, and I think the finished product will turn out really well.



I also got a job over the winter break, which I've been at for a few now, since I started in the beginning of December. I work at a Saturday day habilitation program at OSAC office in Jamaica, working with autistic kids. I can't even begin to tell you how much I like that job. It's a rewarding experience to be able to say I've worked with these kids and that I know them every week, even if it's only for four hours on a Saturday.



One of the big things I've done this year is to get involved with the student life at school. Over the fall term, I joined the art club, where I learned a lot about studio art and learned a very real way that anything can be art. (I met someone in the art club that made a medieval shield out of an old satellite dish.) With the art club, I went to the medieval fair in Fort Tryon Park, represented them at a club fair, and had the experience of hanging something I had made at a school art gallery, which was fun because I got to put something I'd made out there for people to see, and that's something I did this year that I'm really proud of. I also joined the Brooklyn College Chorale and I got to sing with them at a concert with the orchestra accompanying us, which was a huge thing for me, because I'd never sang for an audience that big before.



This semester, I started on one of the craziest and strangely rewarding journeys of my life. I have been pledging Alpha Sigma Sorority for almost eight weeks now. My pledging name is Smilie (I'm not sure why they picked this, but my guess is because they know I like to write), and have three other pledge sisters who I've gotten very close to. Pledging isn't like the media protrays it to be, but at the same time it is. Over the past eight weeks I've had to do some crazy things, but I'm learning about the process, about what it means to be there for someone no matter what, and about myself. This wasn't something I ever thought I would do, but now that I have started and I'm in the middle of it, I'm really proud of myself for being able to stick through it no matter how hard it is.



This year has been really eventful for me, but I'm happy to say I'm doing a lot of things I'm proud of, and although I've been really busy, it's been pretty worth it, and I'm really glad I got to tell you guys about it.



Sincerely,


Christine Rivas

Board Update - June 18, 2010

Today, we elected our officers as follows:

Chairperson/Executive Director- Diana Diaz-Torres

Secretary - Rosyln Sternlieb

Treasurer - Cris Italia


Members present at our meeting today voted and consented to the above.

In addition, we are welcoming our newest board member, Charmaine Mayers, who accepted to join our board.

We regret to report Magdalena Ocampo has withdrawn from the board but we hope someday she will be able to return.

Thank you to all the board members for your ongoing support, dedication and motivation in continuing this journey.

Our THIRD Recepient ARETA GJICALI

Today our third recepient, Areta Gjicali, received the honor at Long Island City High School's Award Ceremony at their school auditorium. Presented by one of our board members, Ms. Roslyn Sternlieb, she read the following to the audience:

"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. She attended the New York City public schools until the seventh grade. She moved to Durham, North Carolina where her mother sought a better life for herself and her children. The change from a diverse community in New York to a small town in the south created new challenges. Despite the difficulties, Stephanie rose to the occasion and defended who she was and taught others about her culture.

Stephanie's academic experience was always a challenge met with much struggle as she suffered from a learning disability. Stephanie's talent was not reading or arithmetic but in the fine arts. Her passion: writing, singing, dancing and piano playing. She was a natural born star waiting for the opportunity to shine.

Unfortunately on September 15th, 2005, we lost Stephanie Marie to a horrible accident in Durham, North Carolina. Stephanie's death was a tragic unexpected moment that weighed heavily on the family's heart.

This scholarship was created in her honor. We know she would want us to support someone like herself who dreams to pursue a career in the fine arts. It is indeed an honor and with great pride that we give this scholarship to Areta Gjicali."

With a very loud and consistent applaud from the crowd including whistling and shouts from classmates "GO ARETA", Areta went up to receive her award.

After the ceremony, Areta came up to formally express her gratitude for the opportunity to be the third recepient of the scholarship which included an award of $500 for four years under the condition of maintaining contact with the organization and the family.

Areta is a very eliquent and well spoken beautiful young lady, who received many awards tonight including the "Council of Supervisors' Association (CSA) Award for Leadership", "Department of Education - Cooperation in Government Certificates", and "Judge Charles J. Vallone Scholarship" .

We are very pleased with our selection although it was difficult process to select just one candidate from many potential smart and talented young individuals. To all those who have applied, please continue to reach for those stars and live your dream as we are granted only one life to fullfil them.

Thank you Ms. Sternlieb for not only presenting the scholarship but for helping in the selection of the recepient.

Congratulations Areta Gjicali !

Incorporation Update

GREAT NEWS:

On April 24, 2010, I received via USPS the certificate of incorporation just after reviewing prospective scholarship recepient applications for 2010. A recepient will be announced within a week or two.

In the meantime, we are on our way to tax exemption.

God is Good!

Sweet Twenty-First

Today is Stephanie's 21st birthday.

Stephanie from your entire family, we love and miss you but we know you are looking down on us from above. Know your dreams of being remembered for something special will live on forever through this scholarship.

Happy 21st Birthday Sweetie.

Love,
Your family