The West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund awarded six students with a 2500 dollar scholarship at their annual Scholarship Awards Dinner on May 14. The dinner was held at the Plattduetche Park Restaurant.
The six students awarded were Mateo Calderon, Catherine Urquiza, Hugo Idrogo, and Eden Morales-Gomez, of West Hempstead Secondary School, and Shira Massihesraelian and Shalhevet Koenigsberg, of Yeshiva University High School for Girls.
WHCSF board member Santos Welti gave a speech congratulating the six seniors and presented them with their awards. The students also had congratulatory speeches given for them by their teachers.
Theresa Walz, the selection chair for the WHCSF, said that thorough vetting goes into the selection process for the scholarship recipients. “We send the applications to the high school, and we send them to as many private schools as we know,” she said. “This year, we had 39 applications, and a committee of myself and six other people whittled it down to 10.”
Walz said that the last 10 applicants are cut down to six with an extensive interview process. “We interviewed the last 10 applicants, and the seven of us decided who we thought deserved it,” she said. “It’s based on merit, need, their community service, their involvement at school, there’s a lot of factors.”
“College expenses are astronomical, so it's nice to give these kids a little bit of a start,” Walz said.
Mateo Calderon is attending Stony Brook University as a biochemistry major and physics minor, and his ultimate goal is to work for NASA after earning his degree. “I’ve worked a lot for this accomplishment,” he said. “I’m nervous, but I know I’m gonna make it, I always do.”
Catherine Urquiza is attending Adelphi University to study communication disorders and plans to become a speech pathologist after she earns her Master’s. “Receiving this award motivates me to continue pursuing my goals,” she said. “I want to give back to my community.”
Hugo Idrogo is attending the Rochester Institute of Technology and wants to major in mechanical engineering in a 5-year master’s program. “Getting this scholarship makes me feel the support of the community, West Hempstead is like a family to me,” he said.
Eden Morales-Gomez is attending Nassau Community College and wants to become a history teacher after he completes his degree. “If I didn’t receive this scholarship, I wouldn’t have a chance to go to college,” he said. “It’s a great honor to get this award.”
Shira Massihesraelian is attending Touro University Lander College for Women’s Honors program and plans to major in biology and pursue the health sciences. “I’m grateful for even being considered,” she said. “I feel that this award recognizes my participation in my community.”
Shalhevet Koenigsberg is attending Yeshiva University undecided. “I’m not sure what I want to do in college, but I want to pick a career based on giving back to my community,” she said.
