Yankees Legend Presents Scholarship To New Rochelle College Student

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle’s (CNR) Interim President Dorothy Escribano and New York Yankees Legend Mariano Rivera presented a full scholarship to a Bronx student Monday during a special ceremony in Leland Castle on the New Rochelle campus. Camila Barrientos, a graduate from Cristo Rey High School in the Harlem, is this year’s recipient of the Mariano and Clara Rivera Scholarship, bestowed on students who have achieved academic excellence while being actively involved in their communities.

The Mariano and Clara Rivera Scholarship, which was first created in 2014, is a four-year scholarship that covers tuition, as well as room and board for its recipients. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

“Camila is a remarkable student and we are pleased to present her with the 2017 Mariano and Clara Rivera Scholarship. She is very deserving of this award and is a shining example of an exemplary student among her peers,” Escribano said. “We congratulate her on the wonderful achievements she has attained thus far and look forward to her continued achievements here at The College of New Rochelle.”

Mariano Rivera said he and his wife are happy with they are able to help those who are less fortunate but have tremendous abilities.

“Camila has taken an important step and I believe that she will do whatever it takes to make us, her family and community proud,” he said. ”We believe in her, and we believe in the people here at The College of New Rochelle who have been through challenges to make the college stronger than ever.”

Born in El Salvador, Barrientos came to the Bronx with her mother and older sister in 2000. During high school, she participated in the school’s drum club, theater, choir and student council. She also attended Ignatian Family Teaching for Justice in Washington, DC to meet with representatives of government. She is currently enrolled in the college’s School of Arts & Sciences with an undeclared major, but is strongly considering studying biology with hopes to one day become a licensed OB-GYN.

"The College of New Rochelle was one of my top choices to attend college and when I heard that I received the scholarship I was almost in tear,” Barrientos said. “Higher education is very important to my family, and I have dreamed about going to college since I was a child. Mariano Rivera made my dream possible and I am very grateful. The family atmosphere at CNR has made a big difference to me as I begin college. It will help me pursue my dream career of becoming an OB-GYN."

Photo caption: From left, Dorothy Escribano, interim president, The College of New Rochelle; Mariano and Clara Rivera Scholarship recipient Camila Barrientos of the Bronx; Yankees legend Mariano Rivera; Gwen Adolph, chairwoman, Board of Trustees, The College of New Rochelle; and New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. Photo credit: Submitted.