Six Bristol and Warren Students Win RI Foundation Scholarships

Six Bristol and Warren residents are among dozens of students statewide who will share nearly $500,000 in scholarships from the Rhode Island Foundation.

From Warren, Fiona Adams received the Willard and Marjorie Scheibe Nursing Scholarship to attend Rhode Island College and Olivia SaoBento received the Rhode Island Association of Former Legislators Scholarship to attend George Washington University. In Bristol, Erica Maciel received the Bristol Children’s Home Scholarship to attend Central Michigan University, Meghan Rainville and Ariana Reis received Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarships to attend the University of Rhode Island and Joshua Leitao received the Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship to attend Roger Williams University.

Dozens of individual and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation to help students defray educational expenses such as tuition, fees and books.

“These scholarships honor not just the recipients, but the donors who make their dream of a better future come true,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “The benefits of their generosity will pay dividends for decades as these young people enter the workforce and the civic life of their communities.”

SaoBento was one of four Rhode Island students to receive a Former Legislators scholarship. A member of La Salle Academy’s Class of 2015, SaoBento was recognized for her dedication and contributions to public service.

“I have participated in many kinds of community service in my high school years. I have gone to soup kitchens, participated in retreats, both locally, and internationally, and volunteered my time at festivals and at a leadership program. Going into my first true community service experience I was nervous, but have grown to love and actively seek out new and different opportunities,” she said.

SaoBento was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Italian Honor Society, served on the student council, participated in chorus and volunteered at the Newport Tennis Hall of Fame. She will attend George Washington University.

In addition to general scholarship assistance, some funds target specific geographic areas or provide assistance based on gender, economic status or special circumstance.

The Melvin and Patty Alperin First Generation Scholarship is earmarked for high school seniors who are accepted or enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college whose parents did not graduate from college.

The Rhode Island Commission on Women/Freda Goldman Education Award is for women pursuing education or job training beyond high school who need assistance with transportation, child care, educational materials or other support services.

The Foundation also offers a number of awards targeting students studying everything from social work or the arts to textile technology or filmmaking.

The Albert and Florence Newton, Edward and Virginia Routhier and Willard and Marjorie Scheibe scholarship funds target students studying nursing.

A complete list of scholarships, application deadlines and eligibility requirements for the 2016-17 school year is posted on the Foundation’s website at www.rifoundation.org.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2014, the Foundation awarded more than $34.8 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.ri.foundation.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: James D’Ambra of the R.I. Association of Former Legislators presents college scholarships to Olivia SaoBento of Warren (far right) and three other recipients.