Scholar #7 Lisaul Diaz Update

My name is Lisaul Diaz and I am currently a junior at the University at Albany. I am currently an intended Biology major. 

I've been attending UAlbany for about five semester now and I've been a part of many organizations. First, I've been a part of the Living-Learning communities my freshman year of college, where I later chose to run and obtain a leadership position. 

Then, I decided to be a part of the mixed martial arts club at my university, where I continue to train and be a part of my university's community.

Now, I continue to pursue my academics and thanks to this scholarship, I am able to worry less about the financial burden that comes with college and also to able to focus more on my studies. As I come closer and closer to graduating college, I appreciate this scholarship more and more, and I am strongly grateful and thankful for that. 

I plan on graduating on May of 2018 with a bachelor's in Biology.

Scholar #6 Marianna Beaute Update

Dear S.M.B.S. Board, 

            This past year I served as Vice President of B.O.S.S. We held various events and meetings throughout campus, attended conferences, and as VP, my leadership skills evolve. I enjoy delegating tasks, providing support to club members, having the chance to meet other leaders, faculty, and peers on campus and having my voice heard.  It was one of my greatest accomplishments this semester. I also delved into my education minor courses, which required me to complete fieldwork. I spent over 60 hours at West Side Collaborative in the Upper West Side helping middle schoolers in math as well as being a resource to my cooperating teachers.  This experience has made my purpose even more clear; I love teaching and being able to help students see and meet their potential.

            This past summer, I interned as a marketing assistant and volunteered teaching children English in Paris. It was my first time leaving the country to visit somewhere else other than my native country, Haiti. I studied French for about 4 years, but always really wanted to master the language, a swell as experience the Parisian culture. Moreso, I wanted to get away from home for time to reflect on my successes, failures, and hopes. Thus, I convinced my parents to buy me a ticket and luckily they did. I spent two months in the city of love, even though I beg to differ, walking the streets of Paris and other neighboring cities, eating as many crepes and pastries as possible, people-watching, visiting monumental sites, and speaking the language. I made comparisons between the healthcare system, poverty, shopping, education system, and the architecture. For two months, I was Parisian and I loved it! I can’t wait to go back. Overall, I really saw what it meant when people say “the world is your oyster.” Upon my arrival in the U.S., I couldn’t believe that these same two feet that stood under the Eiffel Tower, and knelt in the Notre Dame, would now be walking the streets of Brooklyn.

            Currently, I am taking courses at Brooklyn College with the hopes of returning to Barnard in the spring as a senior, as well as developing my own not-for- profit organization.

All the best,

Marianna

Scholar #5 - Alex Martin Update-New Chapter

Dear Stephanie Marie Burgos Foundation,

            I have graduated from St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music. It has been a journey and my most proud accomplishment. I did more than I thought I could achieve prior to getting to school. I have overcome the normal developmental plights of transitioning from boyhood to manhood and am ready for the next mountains life would like to put in front of me.

            Four and a half years ago if you told me that I would go to Europe for four months, meet state legislators, remain fit, be a Community Assistant, buy a car, and graduate with a plethora of new skills and connections I’d probably not believe you. This education has given me a sense of responsibility to do something right and productive. Fulfilling the Peer Development Director position is an undertaking I do not take lightly and see as an opportunity to gain more skills because of what it entails. I believe in the work being done with the foundation and I plan on continuing it.

            I’ve come out with an overall more professional demeanor, a basic bureaucratic blueprint of how the world works, appreciation for what I was granted, and a drive to thrive. I want to succeed badly and school has given me the basic tools to do so. I thank you all for your continued support and am looking forward to our new accomplishments.

All the best,

Alex Martin

     

It is honor to have Alex Martin in 2016 

as our new S.M.B.S. Board member 

and Peer Mentoring Director!

Thank you Alex for allowing us to see you grow

into such an amazing individual and

sharing your talents with our organization. 

Annual Board Meeting 2016

         By far the most productive and most entertaining annual meeting was held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 over a relaxed dinner at Mesa Azteca in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  In attendance were current members; Diana Diaz Torres, Alexandria Agrinsoni, Fanny Mera, Jeanette Aquino Reveron, Charmaine Mayers and Evelyn Mosquea, who welcomed newest members Sue Roye and S.M.B.S. Alum Scholar, Alex Martin.  Board members not present who provided proxies; Christine Rivas, Areta Gjicali and Richard Bohan, as well as Jessica Morales and Kenny Lozano, will continue to support our organization as board members although not present at this meeting.
         Stay tuned for all the exciting events we have planned for all our supporters!  Please follow us on our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Stephanie-Marie-Burgos-Scholarship-Inc-340889992613806/?fref=ts

Thank you to these wonderful group of men and women 

without their support S.M.B.S. could not exist. 

Fall 2016 Update from Jennifer Van - Scholar # 9

        It has only been a few weeks of my first year at Stony Brook University, but I am extremely enthusiastic for what’s to come. The best part of starting college has been meeting the people I’ve met. I’ve met so many new people by joining and volunteering with Circle K and Vietnamese Student Association. It’s exciting to see the different backgrounds my peers come from. Additionally, I’ve gotten an on-campus job in the Biochemistry Department as an office assistant. I think both working and studying keeps my work ethic in check. Since the hours are flexible and it coincides well with my class schedule, I am able to make time for other activities as well. Aside from the clubs I’ve joined, there are also resident events that allow me to get to know my community better. I honestly feel like Stony is starting to become my second home.
        On another note, I think the most stressful part of college so far is preparing for midterms. I’ve had two midterms so far and there’s definitely a lot more studying that goes into college exams compared to high school ones. Even though it is time consuming, I know that there are other students in the same position as I am and that puts me more at ease. Everyone’s here to accomplish the same goal and I believe that college will be full of opportunities to succeed. The outcomes of those opportunities are dependent on my efforts and motivations and I am willing to take on whatever college will throw my way. Overall, I am thankful that I get to explore Stony Brook and its resources. Thank you to the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship for choosing me as a scholar and making this experience possible.

2016 Last Soccer and Concert Fundraiser

N.Y.C.F.C. and JINGLE BALL

What an amazing year we had with the New York City Football Club!  At our last game on Sunday, November 6th we had a total of 20 attendees and raised another $100 for our organization.  We had a beautiful group of supporters that evening where NYCFC faced Toronto.  Thank you to everyone.  A special thank you to our board member, Kenny Lozano, for a fun filled year of soccer!

In addition to soccer fun, we had a concert sale for Jingle Ball for Friday, December 9th where we raised $100 for S.M..B.S. Inc.




We can not wait what 2017 brings us.

Thank you again to all!

FINALLY... OUR NINTH SCHOLAR SELECTION!

This year we received 23 scholarship applications from very successful, incredibly strong and extremely smart students who have defeated the odds to achieve and continue succeeding academically.  Unfortunately, we can only select one student per year.  Here is the announcement we have been waiting months for:

We are proud to announce our 9th scholarship recipient: 

Jennifer Van

Our 2016 scholar Jennifer Van is from Bronx, New York, and a graduate of Bronx Science High School.   She will be attending Stony Brook College in the fall 2016.   Jennifer is our third scholar from the Bronx and our first Asian American scholar.

Jennifer was presented unusually late in mid-July during a private dinner with SMBS's Executive Director, Diana Diaz-Torres, and Treasurer, Alexandria Agrinsoni, on Wednesday, July 20th at Jimmy's Cafe in the Bronx.   Jennifer was accompanied by her mother, who was as equally as excited and honored to receive the scholarship as our newest scholar.

Congratulations Jennifer and welcome to our SMBS Inc. family!

Thank you to everyone who applied to our scholarship program this year.  It is encouraging to see our world is receiving such socially aware and intelligent young people, who will make a difference in their contributions to this world.  Best wishes to all our applicants!