Lewinski Lopez (2017) - First Year Scholarship Recipient
My first week living at St. Lawrence University has been exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. Professors wasted no time to give assignments and a long list of future expectations but each of them were extremely welcoming. They each encouraged questions and for you to come visit them during office hours which was nice but if there is one thing I didn’t expect from college was how relatively easy it would be to ask for help not just from the professors but from the students as well. The assignments thus far have been easy thanks to the support I’ve received from the people around me. I have spent more money than anticipated on textbooks for most of my classes and still need to spend more money on books later in the semester so I am grateful to be a recipient of the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship will allow me to afford the books and not be behind in my class work. 
Jennifer Van (2016) - Second Year Scholarship Recipient
Dear Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Board,
This past academic year, I have matured exponentially. My first two semesters in college were filled with many enlightening experiences even though heavy courses filled up my schedule. Organic Chemistry and Biology proved to be more difficult than what I was used to. I spent countless hours in the library staying up until the early morning hours, even pulling all-nighters for finals week. A few important things I’ve learned from these courses are time management, dedication and support. I’ve realized that making friends and creating a network are crucial to success. Not only do they support me in times of stress, but they also serve as advocates for scholarship and education. I can say the same about SMBS members who constantly check up on me and make sure I am excelling in both my academic and social life. Having said that, I am ready to embrace my second year at Stony Brook University.
Over the summer, I worked at JFK Airport as an airport greeter for incoming international students. I had the opportunity to converse with people in my age range from all over the world. I met someone from Morocco for the first time and he told me how different the school system was over there. I would try to explain, but it was a bit confusing. I made friends from Italy who have a great fashion sense and study the same subjects I do at their own university. Overall, it was a great experience and I have a greater appreciation for culture and language. I hope to work there again next summer or maybe even during the school year if I have the time.
Though my interests lay in the health sciences, I still yearn to engage in the social sciences. Being around such a diverse group of students has furnished my decision to pick up a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. I thought I wouldn’t have time to add courses that didn’t pertain to my major, but I think it’s important to have a well-rounded education and I eagerly want to take upper division courses like Feminine Spirituality. This exploration can only bring exciting things into my career, so I am confident that my decisions will be rewarding in the future. I want to give a huge thank you to SMBS’s support and efforts. I wouldn’t be able to consider opportunities like these without them.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Van
Shakira had taken a semester break from school due to some familial issues and distractions. She transferred this past academic year from Albany to Lehman College to finish her undergraduate studies and is eager to continuing her education. Here is her update written in the summer 2017:
Hi
my name is Shakira De La Cruz and I was the eighth winner to The Stephanie
Marie Burgos Scholarship. I am writing this letter in order to update you on my college experience. I can’t wait to go back to Lehman College. I miss school and I miss getting
the grades that I used to get my first semester in College while I was upstate.
I am planning to apply for my
major which is social work this junior year and hopefully receive financial
aid. I am no longer eligible for funding from FASFA
and this is to update you with this news because I am in need of the
funding from my scholarships more than ever.
Thank You,
Shakira De La Cruz
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