Tech Center Student Receives Black Scholar Award

Tech Center Student Receives Black Scholar Award

Jenae Graham always knew she wanted to take care of people. So when the Walter Panas High School senior enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at The Tech Center at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES last year as a junior, it was the perfect fit. Her passion for the program, her hard work in school and her talent earned her a Black Scholars Award from the Westchester Black Scholars Community Partnership this month.

Jenae was honored at an award ceremony given by the Westchester Black Scholars Community Partnership on June 1, at Manhattanville College in Purchase, as one of 150 graduating seniors who had outstanding academic achievement through high school. Jenae’s Tech Center teacher, Maria Pontbriand, received the Motivating Teacher award because of Jenae’s essay about her experience in Pontbriand’s class.

“Mrs. Pontbriand’s passion for the medical profession electrified her lessons and made challenging medical topics comprehensible and fascinating,” said Jenae.

“Jenae is the student every teacher hopes for,” said Mrs. Pontbriand. “She listens more than talks and has the ability to work well with students and adults alike and make patients feel at ease.  She conducts herself in a professional manner, which is beyond her years.”

In the fall, Jenae will major in biology at DeSales University. She plans to become a physician’s assistant in the future. Said Pontbriand, “Jenae has a vision and is determined to achieve her goal and make people’s lives better.”

The Black Scholars Community Partnership Initiative is a coalition of 21 Westchester County-based African-American organizations dedicated to promoting, supporting, and rewarding excellence among African-American students.