2011 Update: First Year Scholar, Christine Rivas

April 2011

To the family of Stephanie Burgos,


Sometimes I can’t really believe it’s been three years since I graduated high school, let alone that I'm going to graduate next year. If someone had told me all these things were going to happened to me and I was going to do and learn so many things, I never would have believed them.The past year has been very busy but I’ve learned a lot from it. First, I finished pledging Alpha Sigma right after writing you my last letter, which has taught me a lot about myself and a lot about business, not to mention being a grown up. Already, I’ve learned the basics of running a website, publicity, and I’ve even helped out with rushing (recruiting for the next semester’s pledge class).
I’m taking sixteen credits again this semester, and I’ve learned a lot of things from all of my classes. I’m taking a film class this semester so I can take screenwriting next semester, so I can see if that’s what I want to do with my career, as I know I can go many different directions with the degree I’m about to receive. I’m also taking a few classes on modernism and how to interpret literature, because we’re reading a lot of classics in those classes (Mrs. Dalloway, Frankenstein) and I found last year that you can learn a lot from the classics. I’m still in the Brooklyn College choir, and I’m even taking a music class so I can pick up the music and the technique faster.
As for next semester, I'm about to finish my creative writing degree, and I'm taking classes in both playwriting and screenwriting, because being able to do both of those things has been a dream of mine ever since I'd actually seen a play. I'm also considering becoming a kindergarten or second grade teacher, so next year I also plan on taking education courses and going full steam ahead toward grad school.
My family is doing very well also. My dad was in the process of adopting a son, and he’s finally home after three very long tedious years. He just turned three in January, and he’s extremely intelligent, even if he only speaks Spanish and I can barely understand him. I can understand Spanish way better than I can speak it, so I know what he’s saying, he just can’t understand what I’m saying. This whole thing has helped me decide I’m going to seriously learn Spanish to the best of my ability, because I want to be able to have a relationship with my brother as soon as possible. Also, if I could get through pledging a sorority, learning Spanish is a breeze in comparison.
In short, things have changed a lot for me, not in terms of school work, but in terms of life and the things I’m doing now and the things I’m learning, both in school and out of it.

Hope everything is going well for you too:
Christine Rivas

2011 Update: Second Year Scholar, Richard Bohan

September 9, 2011

Greetings,

The last time I wrote to you I was a caterpillar, starved and craving for life experience -- my sustenance for the past two years.
I am not yet a butterfly; the metamorphosis into a full grown adult. Instead, I am enclosed in a cocoon, a chrysalis, composed with pieces of my education, my memories abroad in London, and the many friendships and connections that I have forged. It feels cozy in here, being a junior in College, but I know very soon the cocoon will shatter and I will have to test out those new wings of mine, riding into the real world.
But this cocoon, it’s not some safe haven. After all, no caterpillar stays the same as they incubate in their hard shells. They transform, just as I am transforming right now. And transformations can be painful, as we lose bits of ourselves and replace them with new ones, sorta like the shedding of skin.
it was tough being abroad, being so far from all the people I loved, but I had the most rewarding experience and I have to thank you for helping me in being able to realize my dreams.
The realization of dreams, it’s so important for every person. My only wish is that every person in the world had the opportunity to build their own sturdy cocoons, so that they can transform too. It’s because of people like you, people so generous and thoughtful; I know every recipient will be just as blessed as I am.

Sincerely,
Ritchie

2011 Update: Third Year Scholar, Areta Gjicali

August 27, 2011

To the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Organization,

As I am starting my second year of college I have come to realize the importance of education both in and out of school. I realize that I am given the opportunity to expand on my knowledge, to live my dream and to reach a place where some people do not have the opportunity go. In Stephanie's case, she fell short of that dream and therefore I am taking advantage of this opportunity. For her, for myself, and for the rest of the people around the world that are unfortunate to do so.

This past school year I learned a whole lot about other people. I understood the different type of people we have in this world from different personalities, to different backgrounds but we all come together because we share one common dream; the dream of knowledge. I also learned a whole lot about myself. I figured out how much responsibility I can handle (or not handle) and just how much diverse I can be. With the help of my professors, my own perseverance, and the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship it makes it easier for me to succeed in college as I try to figure my way into my own future.

Thank you so much,
Areta Gjicali

June 25, 2011

Hello,

I am very excited to inform you that I finished my first year of college and I am no longer a freshman. (Woot!) I took fifteen credits this past Spring semester and had the pleasure of being part of my first college theater production of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. (The credits for this years production will show on my Fall 2011 transcript.)

I am looking forward to hearing about the fourth scholar that won this years Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship.

Keep me posted!

Thank you,
Areta Gjicali

January 5, 2011

Hello it's me Areta :)

I wanted to update you on my academics and of course college itself, as I survived my first semester as a freshman. I'm currently double majoring in Theater and Public Relations, and achieved a 3.8 GPA in the fall term. I want to thank you again for giving me this scholarship not only because the money helped me but because I feel so inspired and motivated to keep perusing my dreams. I hung up the award on my wall in order to remind myself how lucky I am that I can wake up every morning and go to school-and live my life, something that Stephanie fell short on. So once again THANK YOU.

With Love,

Areta

Tax Deductible Gifts

If you would like to make a donation to our organization please forward a check or money order made out to our organization and mail to the address below. You will receive a letter for you to file with your taxes.

The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship

PO Box 370153

Brooklyn, New York 11237-0513

Thank you for your support!

Peer Support / Mentorship Program 2011

When the organization was created the primary focus was providing financial support to the recepients. The incorporation process gave us the opportunity to explore how else to provide supports to our scholarship recepients. This is how the idea of a peer support and mentoring program was born.

Today marks another milestone for the organization as we were able to gather our scholars for the first time at SPICE Thai Restaurant in NYC. With Fanny Mera, one of our board members, and myself facilitating the event, our scholars were able to meet each other and share their experiences.

Our scholars were encouraged to maintain communication with each other throughout the year although this certainly will not be the last gathering.

Thank you Christine Rivas, Richard Bohan and Areta Gjicali for a wonderful evening. We are truly proud of your achievements and future aspirations.

~Diana Diaz-Torres

Executive Director of SMBS