Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Elite Scholarship Foundation Inc. hosted their Passionately Pursuing Purpose Community Street Fair in front of Forest Road School in Valley Stream.
Dozens arrived to enjoy the food, vendors and most importantly to honor this year’s three awardees for their two scholarship programs.
“In order for us to get future leaders, we have to invest in them,” founder Paula Mills said. “We have to be able to show them that you know their potential and encourage them.”
The Elite Scholars honored two awardees this year, each receiving $1,500 toward their tuition. Imani Lyons, a recent graduate of Elmont Memorial High School, was among the awardees. Lyons is an aspiring neurosurgeon and will be studying neuroscience at Spelman College.
“My communities have definitely given back to me, and this is only the start of something really great,” Lyons said. “It’s really nice to know that my community has my back.”
Coming from Queens, Mikayla Traill was honored as the second awardee. A class of 2025 graduate from The Mary Louis Academy, she plans on studying history and is entering pre-law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I’m so grateful for this organization,” Traill said. “This scholarship really helped me with my academic journey.”
The Elite Scholars program is offered for those with academic excellence in New York. Last year, The Elite Scholarship Foundation Inc. started an additional scholarship program titled “Beauty for Ashes.” This is awarded to the student with financial need and academic promise while overcoming obstacles and contributing to their community.
This year’s Beauty for Ashes awardee is Amira Elrington-Edwards, a recent graduate of Elmont Memorial High School in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. She has received $1,500 toward her tuition. Elrington-Edwards is studying finance and is on the pre-law track at Howard University. Unable to attend the event due to her studies beginning early, her grandmother, Mildred Edwards, was there on her behalf.
“I feel very good about her being honored today,” Edwards said. “It’s a good opportunity for the youngsters to apply to something like this and get rewarded.”
As each awardee crossed the stage, they received their tuition check along with a certificate of achievement, as well as citations from Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages of District 22 and Congresswoman Laura Gillen. The citation from Gillen was presented by Victoria Esteve, a caseworker from her office.
To conclude the ceremony, Miss New York USA 2025 state finalist and Miss Nassau County 2025, Karyse J. Gocoul of Valley Stream, spoke a few words.
“Ladies, as you step into this next chapter of your lives, I want you to remember this,” Gocoul said. “Your education is not just preparing you for a career, it is preparing you for your calling.”
For more information about The Elite Scholarship Foundation Inc., visit EliteScholarsChristianAcademy.com.
