Scholars 2019

2019 NYSPT Scholarship Recipient Profiles

Spring 2019 Recipients

	Maria Andrade – Ammerman Campus Pace University - Global Marketing Management Born in Brazil, Maria’s love for new cultures and languages influenced her decision to pursue a career that allows her to influence the world. She is currently mastering four languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, and intends to add Mandarin Chinese as a fifth. As the President of the Business and Accounting Club at Suffolk County Community College, she coordinated the business fashion show and trips to NYC and Washington, DC, was part of the Financial Committee that allocated over $70,000 in club funds, and donated blood to multiple blood drives on campus. Other than financially, how has winning a SoLII/NYSPT Scholarship affected you? “It’s allowed me to talk about my accomplishments to those around me. I feel like I stand out in an academic way and others look up to me. It’s also allowed me motivate fellow students and my siblings to outdo themselves the way I did.”

	Gina Sabellichi – Ammerman Campus Nyack College - Social Work This hardworking mother of two boys cites her involvement with BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) at Suffolk County Community College as transformational. She intends to obtain her PhD in Social Work so that she can share her passion to help those who don’t have a voice, those who are misunderstood, and those who don’t yet recognize their own value and potential. What advice would you give to future SoLII/NYSPTS applicants? “I know what you’re thinking. I know you’re thinking good things are for other people, not you. I know you’re thinking of giving up halfway through the application process. Don’t. I was you. In fact, I still am you. You see, that girl that thought she would never even take a college course has not only won the scholarship but has no doubt in her mind that she will get her PhD. What I thought wasn’t for me, was for me all along. That fact that you are even applying for the scholarship right now tells me you desire to further your education and you have at least a seed of hope in you. Sometimes when there is nothing left, these three things remain: faith, hope and love. Don’t ever lose hope. Don’t ever lose faith, and don’t ever fail to love yourself. If you win, great! And if you don’t, whatever is for you is still for you. Don’t ever give up."

Fall 2019 Recipients

	William Hanley – Ammerman Campus Iona College - Business Administration Growing up, William always prided himself on his abilities to connect with people and be a leader. Those abilities among others, enabled him, as the President of the Business and Accounting Club, to successfully connect his fellow students with local businesses to obtain jobs and internships. Outside of Suffolk County Community College, William created @Big3N3ws, a social media-based brand that covers and promotes the Big3 basketball league. Through his hard work he was invited to attend games, meet with league executives, and was even offered an internship with Cube Vision. His long-term career vision is to work in the front office of an NBA franchise. What advice would you give to future SoLII/NYSPTS applicants? “I would advise all future applicants to keep grinding, get involved, and put yourself out there.”

	Denton Henry – Ammerman Campus SUNY Maritime College - Mechanical Engineering Denton is the epitome of a student-athlete. This Jamaican native and Get There From Here Scholar was a mentor and assistant physics instructor to his peers through his involvement with CSTEP (College Science and Technology Entry Program) and member of the Physics Club. Athletically, he captained the men’s soccer team in 2017 where he led his team to the NJCAA Regional Title, and was a star on the men’s track and field team from 2018-2019 where he won four national titles at the NJCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships – a feat that has never been done by a Suffolk County Community College athlete before. What advice would you give to future SoLII/NYSPTS applicants? “DO NOT DOUBT YOUR ABILITIES! TRUST the PROCESS and NEVER, NEVER. NEVER, GIVE UP!!”

	Edgardo Pineda-Ramos – Michael J. Grant Campus Nyack College - Business Administration The first in his family to graduate from college, Edgardo became a proud member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He took communication and business classes that focused on presentations and speeches to further his goal of being a future CEO and successful entrepreneur. Why did you choose this major/concentration? “As a young kid, I wanted to be the President of the United States, but I realized that I couldn’t because I’m an immigrant, so I figured that I’ll just be the president of a company and hopefully it becomes one of the biggest in the world.”

	Carla Stivala – Eastern Campus Pace University - Business Administration Carla moved from the US to Argentina when she was two, and didn’t move back until she began Suffolk County Community College almost two decades later. Attending classes in her second language didn’t stop her from getting involved on campus. She became the Vice President of the ABG Business Honor Society, the Event Planner for PTK, and founder of the Dance Club on the Eastern Campus. Once she graduates from Pace, Carla plans on attending law school and becoming an immigration or corporate lawyer. Describe yourself in three sentences or less. “Active, charismatic, social. A person who sees challenges as big opportunities. A person who learned to turn hardships into motivation.”