$1 million in Simon Youth Scholarships includes awards for local students

Three local students will continue their education this fall with the help of Roosevelt Field and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF).

Karen Wen (second from left) of Brooklyn, Daniel Brioso (center) of West Hempstead and Eunbee Kim (second from right) of Oakland Gardens have received scholarships on behalf of Roosevelt Field and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational and career development opportunities for youth. Roosevelt Field Director of Mall Marketing Nancy Gilbert (left) and Assistant Director of Mall Marketing Jennifer Flood presented the oversized checks and gifts to the students during a special ceremony honoring their achievement at Roosevelt Field.

All scholarships were based off of their academic excellence, leadership skills and participation in both school and community activities.

Karen Wen, a recent graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, earned the Simon Youth Foundation Award of Excellence Scholarship, a renewable award valued at $10,000. Wen is heading to New York University (NYU) this fall, with plans to study chemistry. During her high school years, she was president of Kids4Kids, a tutoring club; served as event planner of Chemnite Executive Board; and filled the role of secretary for the Red Cross Club. To further her studies, Karen participated in the internship program at Mount Sinai Hospital as a research intern.

Daniel Brioso, a recent graduate of West Hempstead High School and Salutatorian of his class, received a $1,500 Simon Youth Foundation Power of Orange Scholarship, a special award that Roosevelt Field was entitled to bestow, as the Simon property that raised the most money for SYF. He plans to study political science and psychology at New York University (NYU) in the fall. Daniel was involved in numerous clubs and activities at West Hempstead High School including serving as Tutoring Chair of National Honor Society, co-founder and president of Homework Club tutoring program, executive committee chair of Model Congress and an advanced chamber orchestra violinist. Daniel is also the recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship, a prestigious award granting him collegiate and postgraduate education paid by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, he earned a merit scholarship through his acceptance into the NYU ARCH Career Development Scholars program, which aims to train and equip young professionals with marketing and career-oriented skills.

Eunbee Kim recently graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School and was bestowed the Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship valued at $1,500. In the fall, she will attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY with plans to major in music and neuroscience. Eunbee excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities, as a member of Junior Achievement, National Honor Society and Vocal Workshop, a club that seeks to help others improve their singing. In addition, she was part of the cast of the Young Frankenstein musical and has served as a volunteer for AWANA, a non-profit ministry.

“We are very proud of the Simon Youth Scholarships program, because it has given us the opportunity to support the academic endeavors of promising youth right here in our community,” commented Gilbert.

Simon Youth Scholarships are awarded annually to at least one student in every U.S. community that is home to a Simon® property. This year, approximately $1.1 million will be awarded.

“Simon Youth Community Scholarships reward academic excellence across the country and help students to continue their education,” said J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF. “Financial concerns should never be the reason preventing a child from pursuing their dreams.”