Peer Mentoring Program Update 2018

Over the year, our board members, including former alum scholars, who serve in our board, provide mentoring support to our scholars.  We are happy to report that even with our scholars' and mentors' super busy schedules we try to squeeze a friendly text or email and happily get responses.  We know that an unexpected care package sent to our scholars or a planned event is always a positive experience for them to meet, keep in touch with each other and stay connected with the organization.

Once scholars graduate, they are invited to serve on our board.  Some look at it as a give back while others simply just enjoy giving of themselves as noted throughout their academic careers. 

Thank you for supporting our organization's efforts to not only provide financial support to our scholars yearly but the ability to continue to develop a program like this in order to support our scholars throughout their academic career.  As noted a portion of your donations goes towards scholars' participation in these reunions and events.

Meeting between Jennifer Van Scholar #9 (2016) and
Mentor/Board member, Fanny Mera Summer 2018.

Please join us in our future events and/or make a direct tax deductible donation to:

The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship, Inc. 

P.O. Box 370153

Brooklyn, New York 11237

Knockerball Fundraiser/ More 2018 Fundraisers

Our FIRST Knockerball Fundraiser 2018

Everyone was screaming for FUN!!!
On August 16th we did just that!!! 

Our very first outdoor park knockerball fundraiser was held at Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, August 16th from 3pm until 7pm.  With the help of friends and family we successfully raised $310 for our organization.

Thank you to everyone who came out and had loads of fun with us.
Special thank you to our vendor KnockerBallNYC for helping make it such a fun filled event!
(For private party booking please contact Jorge at 718-930-9973)

Pictures posted on our facebook page.

PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
INCLUDING:

Wednesday, September 5, 2018  7-10pm
NYCFC vs New England at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Tickets only $25
for great seats, great company and great fundraising!

Sunday, September 23, 2018 1pm
Yankees vs Orioles at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Tickets only $40
for Section 305, New Era hat, beverage and hot dog

Thursday, October 11, 2018   4pm-11pm
Panda Express Fundraising Event
90-04 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills, New York 11375

NEAREST PANDA EXPRESS1.2Mi

NOSTRAND & FLATBUSH

2166 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

718-859-0368

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

*Pickup time is estimated and may change based on items ordered or other circumstances beyond our control. Actual pickup time will be determined upon completing order.

Bring you flyer & 20% of your bill will be donated to our organization.

Friday, December 14, 2018  4pm (approx.)
Holiday Raffle Drawing
$1 ticket - 6 tickets for $5
WIN PRIZES
Large Flat Screen TV, Apple Ipad & $100 Gift Card

PLEASE SAVE THE DATES.

If you are unable to attend any of our fundraising events, 

your tax deductible gift (Money Order or Check)

 can be sent to:

The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship, Inc. 

P.O. Box 370153

Brooklyn, New York 11237

Scholar High School Speeches

A couple of our scholars wanted to share their valedictorian speeches with us.  Please take a minute to read and admire these beautiful young ladies, who continue represent our organization with great pride and gratitude.  We dedicate these speeches to all recent graduates and to all who continue to reach for those stars.


Shakira DelaCruz - Scholar #8
Gateway H.S. of Environmental & Research Technology at the Stevenson Campus Graduation 2015

Faria Islam - Scholar #11

The Young Women's Leadership School of Queens High School Graduation 2018

Good Afternoon, administration, staff, family, friends, and class of 2018. I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the administration for providing me with this opportunity to feel nauseous and petrified, but also full of pride to represent our incredible class. I am humbled by this opportunity.

Having a voice means being able to speak our truth, our needs and our wants. As a woman of color, like many of you, I have faced cultural, religious and social expectations that discouraged me from using my voice. Four years ago, I came to our school with a restricted voice because of fear of being silenced and mocked by others. However, TYWLS has empowered me to leverage my power of speech. It became a safe place to think critically and engage in intimate, thoughtful seminars, where many of our peers and teachers supported us and wanted to hear what we had to say.

In April, I was assigned to present a writing piece and lead a general discussion at my mentorship program called Minds Matter. I choose an article about the #MeToo Movement and asked my peers: “Why do you think a lot of women are speaking out about demeaning male behavior?”. I was conflicted when one of my peers said, “Some women make up the stories and lie.” I was disturbed because the comment seemed to be wrapped up in the assumption that the harder we strive, and the louder our voices are, is equated with being dishonest and disgraceful. There is a stigma that women should be submissive and that victims are often to blame. I share this story today to help you remember the values instilled within you at TYWLS on agency of voice. TYWLS has prepared me to present this sensitive issue and speak the truth to power. It has allowed us to develop our own critical thinking skills and examine the interconnected world.

Since intolerance and suppression of dissenting voices is on the rise, your voice is most important today to create a change. There are more than 130 million girls between the age of 6 and 17 are out of school globally. These girls do not even have a chance to speak on daily basis because their families and communities do not even care about their presence. Class of 2018, you are all privileged to have been given a chance to express your opinion and contribute to the TYWLS community. I urge you all to continue to use the voice that has been molded within every single one of you for years and inspire others to use theirs in college. Do not let the opinions of others define what you believe and overpower your inner voice. Remember expressing your values in an appropriate way weakens institutions that have a history of inequality by paving a different direction. This year, our class hosted the first TYWLS of Queens voting rally, successfully participated in multiple national school walkouts against gun violence, established Dreamers Alliance with the leadership of Mr. Kane, fellow graduates and Angely, and much more. When you say what you stand for, you are more likely to take actions to extract the result you are looking for.

The achievements of this class would not have been possible without the support of our parents and teachers. Thank you. Over the years, Mrs. Grech taught us to try understand information rather than memorize it. I thank Mr. Otto who made us laugh with but never at, each other. I also thank Ms. Marcus for inspiring me to continue to improve myself. Although all the knowledge we received is valuable, the most important lesson we have learned is that our voices are powerful to create a change. We, the class of 2018, thank every single one of you for your hard work and investment in our education. Finally, to my parents, thank you so much for everything you have done. I hope I made you proud.

Graduating class, this is your time to shine. But let me be clear: the definition of commencement is a new beginning. Although this is the time of celebration, understand that you have completed what you were obligated to, use this opportunity to celebrate the hard work that is ahead for us.You will face multiple barriers that contradict your values in college and there will times where you wish to move away and not address it. Once, you find your passion and your voice in anything you do in the future, have the courage to pursue it. Then you will begin to appreciate life and get on with your journey.
To the class of 2018, it has been an honor to walk by your side. 

Congratulations and best of luck!

2018 Scholar Announcement

Scholar #11 - 2018 is

 Faria Islam 

On Wednesday, June 20th, we were honored to welcome our 11th scholar to our Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Inc. family.  After dinner at Sagar Chinese in Kew Gardens-Queen, with Scholar #9, Jennifer Van, as a witness and Diana Diaz Torres, Executive Board presenting, our new 2018 scholarship recipient was recognized for her achievements despite adversities in her life.  She will be entering Columbia University in the fall 2018.  Let us all celebrate her today!

It is always a very hard process to select the best candidate as we receive so many qualifying students but we wish all our applicants a happy and successful future.

Again, Congratulations to Faria!!!!