Making a Difference in Our Students' Lives!

Staff Donations Provide Funding for Student Scholarships

The Paterson Education Association's Philanthropic Committee held their annual scholarship interviews this year in April. The committee received thirteen applications from seniors from MPACT, GMA, HARP, IHS, JFK, and EHS who were interested in pursuing a career in education.

The selection of the recipients of the Mildred L. Wright Scholarship was a difficult task to say the least. Applicants shared their goals, ideas, and hopes for the future of the children in Paterson. After considerable consideration the committee selected the following Paterson seniors:

Elizer Mejia-John F. Kennedy High School (at right) - "Teaching science is my dream." Elizer plans on attending Kean University.

Yanery Grullon-John F. Kennedy High School-"Music is truly a way of life not a job. It is the only career I would ever choose because it is a career where I can give back to the community and help my younger peers find something in their life that is better than alcohol, the streets and drugs. Something they can enjoy and love." Yanery is planning on attending Montclair State University.

Ivone Tavera-MPACT-"I came from Colombia when I was twelve, I didn't know English at all. When they put me into school (MLK), there was a teacher, her name was Mrs. Korney, and she is one of the best teachers that I had. She taught me how to speak and write some English, she also was a teacher of math: I understood math very well and she noticed that. New students came to the school and as well as English they had to learn math, if they didn't understand her I would explain it to them. That is when I noticed my inspiration for teaching." "My inspiration for teaching comes from my own teachers."

Eddymer Diaz-MPACT (at left) -"The joy they showed after learning how to read a new word, or finally figuring out that difficult math problem, were the greatest reward anyone could ask for." Eddymer has been accepted to Drew University.

Each recipient will receive $1,000 which will be sent directly to the university of their choice. The Mildred L. Wright Scholarship is made possible by the generous contributions of the Paterson staff.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients and to the staff who makes it all possible.

We do make a difference!