Scotch Plains Student Awarded $1,500 Scholarship

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – A Scotch Plains and an Elizabeth resident were presented scholarship money from The Mills at Jersey Gardens' Simon Youth Foundation.

Isaac A. Velasquez from Scotch Plains was presented with a $1,500 scholarship. Velasquez plans to study Computer Science at Princeton University this fall, and aims to eventually become a professor advocating for the freedom of information.

During his time at Princeton, Velasquez also hopes to be an industry innovator, bringing new life to Computer Science and integrating technology into developing nations.

Additionally, Janice D. Figueroa of Elizabeth High School was awarded $500 towards her attendance of the University of Virginia this fall. Figueroa is a first-generation college student who plans to study linguistics.

During her time at Elizabeth High School, Figueroa was not only the class President, but a Principal’s scholar, member of the National Honors Society, and state semi-finalist in the National Speech and Debate Association’s Original Oratory.

“Simon Youth Foundation believes that every student deserves the support necessary to earn their high school diploma, and that financial reasons should never be the reason preventing a student from pursuing their dreams,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF. “We are thrilled to have the support of our incredible corporate partner, Simon, and their Simon Supports Education movement.”

In 2016, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.2 million to 300 students nationwide.

The 2017 SYF Community Scholarship recipients were selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), a third-party administrator. Students were selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education were also given close consideration.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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