10 Years Ago...

Ten years ago there was no S.M.B.S. Inc.

Ten years ago lived a sixteen year old girl who faced many adversities in her life.  Struggling in a foreign place at a younger age, the move from the richly diverse New York City to North Carolina was not easy.  Despite the support of a single mother at home and  her father from a distance, life was turbulent for her.   She had academic difficulties, which was a combination of special needs and emotional delays, often masked with things she loved; her writing, singing, playing the piano and simply enjoying music, which helped get her through the days..

Stephanie once dreamed to be a famous singer and even an American Idol winner.  She wanted to live up to the nickname her grandma gave her "ojitos de estrella", little star eyes.  Stephanie also dreamed of a world where color where culture and race did not matter.  She was a charismatic, friendly and an out going young lady, who proudly stood her ground despite being a minority.  She fought the generalization of her own cultural background in her school cafeteria on top of a table calling out loud that she was "Puerto Rican, not Mexican" as any child appearing to be of Latin American were categorized as "Mexican".

She wanted a world to be kinder to those who struggled with not only academics but emotional set backs that impeded on their educational endeavors.

On September 15th, 2005, Stephanie was suddenly gone from this world.  It was almost three years after losing her did her family decide to take on the task of looking for one student, like Stephanie, to help not only financially but emotionally support their efforts to reach their academic goals.  In the spring of the year Stephanie was supposed to graduate from high school, Stephanie's family selected the first S.M.B.S. Inc. scholarship recipient, a New York City high school senior entering college in the fall 2008.   Since then, the organization which was created in Stephanie's memory continues to help kids like her.  S.M.B.S. Inc. became officially incorporating in 2010 but the work was consistent from the beginning until the present.

This Tuesday will mark ten years Stephanie left this earth to young, at the tender age of sixteen.  Her loss was tragic and unexpected.  It made everyone who knew her stop and realize that life is to short. She had many dreams which she was not fulfilled.  Dreams she never got to achieve.  We are now privileged to help other youngsters like herself to achieve their own dreams.  Marking this anniversary the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship, Inc. is proudly up to their eighth scholarship recipient and have alumni, who are carrying on the torch by serving as directors on the board bringing the organization into the future.

Stephanie we miss you but we know you will always be here in spirit, in our work.  You are an inspiration to our scholars, our board of directors and your family, who work hard to keep your shining star bright.