Community News

Chamber awards six scholarships to seniors

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The Merrick Library’s garden was lined with gray chairs on June 6 in preparation for the Merrick Chamber of Commerce’s annual Scholarship Awards Night.

Six seniors — two from each high school in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District — received $1,000 scholarships from the chamber based on their community-service records.

“There are so many students that excel academically that often get recognized,” Femy Aziz, a chamber board member, said. “But there’s students — like these — who excel in community service that don’t really get that much recognition. So the chamber really wants to highlight these students.”

Aziz said the chamber’s goal is to make sure each student is recognized for his or her successes, whether it’s academically or personally. “Some of these students may not be A-plus students, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve a scholarship,” Aziz said. “This is why the chamber recognizes them. We want to tell students that it’s OK to not be the best at math, but as long as they try their best and as long as they give back to the community, they can get scholarships and recognition.”

In fact, the chamber selects students whose community-service sheet is outstanding. “Some of these kids have done so much with the community,” Aziz said. “Whether they host fundraisers or volunteer their time to a good cause, these kids have done outstanding and uplifting work that has benefited others completely.”

Before handing out the awards, the chamber hosted a small dinner for the students and their families at the Merrick Library. They mingled, comparing stories and sharing their plans for the future. But among five of the selected students, one was noticeably missing.

“Where’s Jessica Mascia?” someone asked.

“Her father will accept the award on her behalf; he should be here soon,” Chamber President Margaret Biegelman said.

When the awards started, Robert Mascia accepted his daughter’s award. “I’d like to thank the chamber for recognizing my daughter’s achievements,” he said. “Jessica unfortunately couldn’t be here tonight because she’s a volunteer over at Camp Anchor, and tonight was their first meeting.” After a round of claps for Jessica and her father, the awards continued, with each student thanking his or her families and friends.

“I honestly was so surprised when I got the call about winning this award,” Jackson Cortez, a Kennedy High senior, said. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. I’m so glad and super-honored to receive this, especially because the chamber recognizes students who give back to the community.”

Cortez said he is thankful for the scholarship because it gets him closer to achieving his dreams at college. “I’m going to SUNY Oneonta to study mass communications,” he said with a grin. Holding his award tight, he said he couldn’t have reached this point without the support of his family. “They’ve been there for me through everything, so having them here watching me accept this award is amazing,” Cortez said.

The chamber awarded a total of $6,000 in scholarships to the six students. Aziz said that amount is among the highest any chamberhas given to students.

“We’re so proud and thrilled that this amount of money is the most given to any student at any Chamber of Commerce in the nation,” Aziz said. “The funds for the scholarships comes from funds raised at the Kid’s Fest, so none of it is taken away from any organization. It’s all raised by the chamber, and it’s all given back to students who truly encompass the ideal of generosity and kindness.”