Congratulations to Darcy Guiterrez N.Y.U. Class of 2023

Hi, my name is Darcelis (Darcy) Gutierrez and I am now a NYU Graduate! I graduated with a BFA in Game Design and am so grateful to have been supported by the SMBS foundation throughout my journey. Now as an NYU alumni I am working full time as a Game Design Teacher at Urban Arts. Additionally I was accepted into the NYU Incubator Program where I was given a 15k grant to work on my personal video game for the next year! These opportunities after graduating have been amazing and I am so excited to see where my career takes me in the future. And if it weren't for SMBS I wouldn't have been able to attend the college of my dreams and start off my game design career this way. Thank you thank you thank you SMBS! 

Thank you, 

Darcelis Gutierrez

Congratulations to our scholar Darcelis Guiterrez for graduating this past spring from New York University. 

We are so proud of your accomplishments and future endeavors.   Thank you again for letting us be part of your journey. 

2023 Scholar Updates

Elizabeth Katayev

Scholar  2021-2025

My name is Elizabeth Katayev. I'm currently in my junior year, diving

deep into the realms of Psychology and Russian & Post-Soviet Studies.

The interplay between understanding the human mind and exploring the

rich tapestry of Eastern Europe's history and culture has been nothing

short of eye-opening. On top of the double majors, I've taken up double

minors in Marketing and Human Services. The combination has been

incredibly rewarding, allowing me to blend my passion for understanding

people with practical skills in marketing strategies and human-centered

support.Outside the classroom, I've been involved in some fascinating

research projects, delving into topics ranging from mental health stigma

to cultural nuances in marketing strategies. It's been a privilege to

contribute to the academic community in these ways. Looking ahead,

I'm excited about the doors that this diverse educational background

will open. Whether it's further academic pursuits, working in the field,

or even entrepreneurial ventures, I know that the skills and knowledge

I'm gaining now will be invaluable.None of this would be possible

without the incredible support of my professors, advisors, and the

scholarship that has lightened the financial load. Your belief in my

potential has been a driving force in my journey, and for that, I'm

endlessly thankful. Thank you so much to everyone at S.M.B.S Inc.

for helping me pursue my education.

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Joyce Lin 

Scholar 2022-2026

My first year at Columbia University was eye-opening and the adjustment was definitely a little challenging but I could not have asked for a better support system to guide me throughout my college journey. This summer I am interning for a startup, Opal Wearables, and am helping them with marketing, growing their waitlist and preparing their launch in the fall. I am also working for a nonprofit organization called The All Stars Project and am focusing on marketing and outreach. 

As I head into sophomore year, I plan on declaring my major in sociology and explore different careers I can gain experience in. I am inspired and would love to work in marketing and HR within a consumer and products, financial services, and media / entertainment company. I am open to exploring different companies and industries but am also interested in real estate and technology. I thank the SMBS community for their continuous support in scholars and am excited to connect with the others.

BEST OF LUCK TO OUR AMAZING SCHOLARS 

ON THEIR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR IN COLLEGE!  

Got Sneaker Summer 2023 Sneaker Collection

S.M.B.S. Inc. would like to remind everyone to clean out their closets and donate their used (or new) unwanted sneakers by the end of this week, August 31st, to wrap up this summer's 2023 fundraiser.

Sporadically throughout the year, S.M.B.S. Inc. has collaborated 

with Got Sneakers with close to a hundred donated

sneakers up to date. This fundraiser is something that will give 

great use to your old sneakers that no longer have a

use for you. Got Sneakers reuses or recycles these sneakers saving our planet from dumping them into landfills. In return, Got Sneakers gives S.M.B.S. Inc. money for them to give to their scholars.

If you wondering how you can be part of this environmentally conscious fundraiser, arrangements can be made for free pick up or drop off with Diana.

Make sure you tell ALL your friends and family about this great fundraiser to help S.M.B.S. Inc. and save our planet by taking sneakers that are no longer used and keeping them from being thrown out as waste. Remember EVERY sneaker counts!

Article by: Dylan Rico, Youth Volunteer

You can also donate anytime directly to the organization by mailing a check or money order to:

The Stephanie Marie Scholarship, Inc.

P.O. Box 370153

Brooklyn, New York 11237

Welcoming Our 2023 Scholar

On Wednesday, August 16th, S.M.B.S. Inc. finally met with their 2023 scholarship recipient, Juan “Steven” Bello Ovando and his mother, Ms. Ovando, at El Cafe Colonial in the Bronx, New York. After an intimate dinner, Steven was presented with a certificate and scholarship by Diana Diaz Torres, Executive Director and Fanny J. Mera, Board Member. Ms. Mera introduced herself as Steven's new mentor for the next four years. Part of the scholarship program is to monitor and support the scholars throughout their four years in college. The scholarship committee was glad to have this dinner in Steven's honor as presenting him with the award at his high school was not possible.

Once again, the program would like to congratulate Steven on being the organization's 2023 scholarship recipient. S.M.B.S. Inc. wishes Steven the best in his first year of college at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz.

Article by: Dylan Rico, Youth Volunteer

2023 SUMMER FUNDRAISERS

N.Y.C.F.C. Game Fundraiser

We are sponsoring another N.Y.C.F.C. soccer game against Atlas FC at Citi Field on Sunday, August 23rd.  Tickets are selling quickly for Section 100s at $25 each.   Please reach out to board member/executive director, Diana.  

GOT SNEAKERS

Our Got Sneakers collection continues until the end of the summer, August 31, 2023.  As of the end of June, we collected a total of 38 pairs and counting.    We are not only raising monies for our organization but raising environmental awareness and contributing less to waste as every sneaker is recycled or reused.  Thank you to everyone who has already contributed their old/used sneakers. 

Look out for other fundraisers events by following us on here, Instagram, Facebook or Threads.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! 

 

Thank you note from our 2023 Scholar

 

Dear Members of the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Committee, 

My name is Juan Steven Bello Ovando. I am a senior at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in the South Bronx, about to start my freshman year at SUNY Binghamton. I want to express my extreme thanks and gratitude as the recipient of this year’s scholarship in the memory of Stephanie Marie Burgos. Thanks to this scholarship, I am one step closer to achieving my dreams of earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Growing up in the South Bronx, my mom wouldn't let me out much, for my safety. Life seemed to be always changing, there was always something new to deal with. But Basketball was a constant for me. It was one of the few things outside of school that I really enjoyed, and thrived in. Some of the most fun I’ve had was after school in the park with my friends. It was my outlet. When I was at home, I wasn’t just me. I was a big brother and a role model first. I had other duties and responsibilities that came before my own. I love my family, and I was happy with that, until the pandemic came. Without being able to go outside, I fell into a slump. I didn’t have the same excitement for life anymore, and I became a poor role model for my younger brothers. Eventually I realized that I wanted to make a life for myself. It took a lot- my grades had seriously suffered. When we got back to school, the first priority on my mind was to join the basketball team. It was there that I found a mentor, and lifelong friends. Basketball once again became a constant, and showed me how well perseverance pays off. Three years ago, sitting at home with my zoom classes in the background, college was the last thing on my mind. I never thought that at the end of my senior year I’d be heading out of the city on my way to become a biologist. I was born in the Dominican Republic. We moved to the States soon after. When I went back in 2017, I was able to see why my family loved it so much. The island is gorgeous. Growing up in NYC you aren’t exposed to much nature. That’s because there really just isn’t anything in New York like the scenery in the Dominican Republic, because of all the damage the people that live here have done. That contrast- between nature and concrete- is what has motivated me to pursue a degree in biology. I am determined to be the first in my immediate family to graduate from college. I want my brothers to see me succeed, and follow suit. I will be forever grateful to the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship fund for bringing me even closer to my dreams. Thank you so much for helping me achieve my dreams! 

Warmest Regards, 

Steven

2023 Scholar Selection

 It is with great joy to announce our 2023 scholar recipient, 

Juan Steven Bello Ovando.

On April 26, 2023, our application review committee/board members, Charmaine Mayers,  Fanny Mera, Sue Roy (treasurer), Jeanette Aquino (secretary) and Diana Diaz Torres (executive director), selected our 2023 scholarship recipient via zoom. 

It was not easy to decide amongst the three highly qualified and impressive group of applicants but we wish all our applicants the best of luck in all their future endeavors.   

To our 2023 scholar, Juan, welcome to the family and congratulations on your high school graduation from Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School.  We look forward to witnessing your new journey.  Best of luck at S.U.N.Y. Binghamton. 

2023 Scholarship Application

 Just like that… our 2023 scholarship application process has begun. 

Thank you to our group of volunteers for creating, editing and preparing our information pamphlets to be distributed to over 400+ New York City public high schools.   To our young volunteers, Nathan Reveron, David Franco and Nicolás Torres, your time and energy are greatly appreciated. 

As last year, this year we are requesting all potential candidates to please request an application via email to: SMBS2010@aol.com as noted on our pamphlet.  We prefer college advisors/counselors to reach out to assist with the process as there is information the school can only provide. 

Any questions can be directed to the above noted email.

We can’t wait to select our 2023 scholarship recipient.  The review process is scheduled for April so please keep to deadline.  Best of luck to all applicants.