Category: News

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Scholar Story: Jackie

My name is Jackie, and I received the Rewarding Potential Scholarship in 2017 to attend SUNY Oswego. Before the scholarship, I wasn’t optimistic about attending college because of the financial burden. My mother passed away when I was 11, and my father, a taxi driver, earned a modest income. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend SUNY Oswego, where I met many of my best friends and graduated from the education honor society.

My incredible mentor, Suzanne Grant, supported me throughout my freshman and sophomore years of college. I am eternally grateful for her guidance and assistance while I was away at school. Now, I am a one-on-one mentor with Rewarding Potential Scholarship, and I want to make a positive impact on my mentee as my mentor did for me.

I recently completed my first year of teaching a second-grade class in the Bronx. The most fulfilling aspect of teaching is building connections with each student and conveying my genuine care and support. I am thrilled to return to the same school to reunite with my students from last year and make a meaningful impact on my new students.

During my high school years, I worked at a camp, and I am now the head camp director. Two of my counselors this past summer were also recipients of the Rewarding Potential Scholarship! It was wonderful to connect with my counselors and express how much the scholarship has transformed my life.

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Board Member and RPS Donor Story: Grant

We are extremely lucky to live in an area that not only cares about giving back, but genuinely has the means to do so. Land trusts, historical societies, garden clubs, barn dances… these are the extracurriculars of a vibrant, active community. I love them all, but RPS is something more.

Clearly it serves a tangible, financial need within our school district, but it also identifies and empowers unserved talent. It’s a gateway to educational access, and the accompanying life opportunities that come with it.

This, I’d argue, is what makes a cause, and the community, truly progressive and productive.

Rewarding Potential Scholarship can best be described as merit-based philanthropy. To begin, our assessment process is not easy; a multi week back and forth of board meetings, essays, and interviews. With large applicant pools, high performing academics, and stunning stories, the final recipients are inevitably exceptional.

But even then, we make it clear that our investment in their education is a two-way street. We assign an in-field mentor, and are clear about the expectation that the student maintain communication throughout their scholarship period.

In other words, RPS does not write a check and send the student on their way. Monetary support is the first step, but we succeed by ensuring the award begins a relationship.

I take great pride in being a member of RPS. I also take great pride in shaking down my friends and family in its name.

But upon hearing the stories, the grit, the educational and post educational success of our 49 recipients, the cause sells itself.

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Mentory Story: Dave

We have received so many emails from you saying how much you enjoy reading our Scholar Stories and learning about the impact our community has had on these students’ lives.

Today, we decided to share a story from one of our fantastic mentors, Dave Grant!

Dave has been a mentor with RPS for 5 years, and his mentee, Lesly, graduated from SUNY Binghamton last May. (If you attended our author talk in October, you met Lesly and heard first-hand how instrumental Dave was in helping her prepare for job interviews!)

So, in Dave’s words…. here is his “Mentor Story”!

I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing RPS can be. To have a front row seat to this transformation from tentative college freshman to confident graduating scholar is simply incredible. I was introduced to RPS by my late wife Suzanne. It was one of many gifts that has stayed with me.

It’s been an absolute privilege to be an RPS mentor, and I’d strongly recommend the role to anyone considering it. It can be daunting for high school seniors to navigate the college entry process if they don’t have any family members who have done it before. As a parent who has helped my own children through this process, I felt that I could be helpful to a mentee going through the same thing. Suzanne began our involvement. I wanted to continue her efforts and felt that I could be helpful.

But the lessons, advice, and camaraderie that Lesly and I shared benefited both of us equally. I feel that I received as much from this relationship as I was giving!

I’m so incredibly proud of Lesly and can’t wait to see her continue to progress professionally!

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Scholar Stories: Luis

In the latter years of my high school career, when I was thinking about my future in education, there was always the looming worry that financial burdens would be an obstacle to my success. Growing up as the only child in a Guatemalan household, I wanted to do my part in making my parents proud by being the first in my family to attend college. But envisioning a future at a good school was difficult due to the fear of taking on immense debt from college loans.

Throughout my time at Fox Lane, I tried to push myself as much as I could, taking all AP and Honors classes while balancing extracurriculars, including being a two-sport varsity athlete on the soccer and wrestling teams. Looking ahead, I knew I wanted to attend a school that would set me up for great success in my career. But I knew that many schools with great merit also came with very substantial financial costs. Tuitions upwards of 80k a year. A cost that was not tangible for me.

Rewarding Potential created a gateway for me: not only financially, but also in terms of connectivity. I was introduced to a network of individuals who shared stories similar to mine. Individuals who have found success while coming from backgrounds of constraint.

Having a one-on-one mentor through RPS has been a great experience because I have been able to connect with someone who has knowledge of the finance industry and is willing to provide support and advice for my career development. As someone with no prior industry connections, having a mentor through RPS has been such an insightful experience.

I am now in my Senior Year at Boston College, where I am studying Economics, Finance, and Hispanic Studies. I am looking forward to a career in the Financial Services industry and am happy to share that I recently completed a summer internship at a brokerage firm in Greenwich.

I look forward to helping the next generation of Rewarding Potential Scholars achieve their career goals and succeed not only in their desired field of work but also in their personal growth.

I am excited for what’s to come in my future career endeavors and am so thankful for the gracious support of the Rewarding Potential Scholarship, which has helped make all of my successes possible.

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Our 2025 Fall Community Event!

 Our  2025 Fall Community Event!

On Tuesday October 14th, we held a community event in partnership with Bedford Books where we enjoyed a lively discussion with New York Times bestselling author Lindsey Pollak and our outstanding RPS graduated scholar, Lesly Mejia!

Lindsey, author of Getting from College to Career, shared some fantastic tips for parents about the job search process after college, and Lesly’s recent experience echoed her message. Here are some of the discussion highlights:
The current job market:
  • Lindsey said (as most of us know) it “isn’t a particularly good job market right now”. Coupled with the fact that companies receive vast numbers of applications for open positions, you must make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Taking advantage of college career services:
  • Lesly used SUNY Binghamton’s career center to help prepare her resume and shape her LinkedIn profile.
  • Lindsey shared that while students must get to know and work with their school’s career services department, 90% of schools continue to offer those services to alums as well —it’s never too late!
The importance of listing all of your “job experience”
  • Lindsey reminded the audience that job experience includes everything the student has done, such as internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, and student organizations —and these should be listed in the “Job Experience” section on LinkedIn.
  • Lesly used stories about her first job at Burger King to highlight her skills in problem-solving, interacting with the public, and commitment to hard work.
Networking:
  • Lindsey reminded us that not everyone has well-connected parents, but there are lots of ways you can network- primarily through alum networks and LinkedIn. Look for connections to the companies you wish to apply to, and don’t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself to the person who can connect you.
  • Lindsey also suggests that students need to practice introducing themselves to others and explaining how they can benefit the company they wish to apply to.
Going Through the Door AND the Window:
  • Lesly told us that when she found job opportunities on LinkedIn, not only did she send a resume (going in the “front door”), but she also sent a DM to the hiring manager and followed up with phone calls (going through “the window”).
  • Lindsey emphasized the importance of multiple connections to companies over time- meeting recruiters at job fairs, connecting on LinkedIn, and finding alums who work there. It is vitally important to find more than one way in!
Practice, Practice, Practice:
  • Lesly practiced her interview skills with her RPS Mentor, Dave, until she felt confident walking into that interview!
Overcoming Gen-Z Stereotypes:
  • Yes, Gen-Z has stereotypes- that they’re lazy, aren’t committed to the companies they work for, demand too much work-life balance, and spend too much time on their screens! Lindsey suggests addressing these concerns head-on in an interview, acknowledging these stereotypes and sharing examples of how you are different! Lesly did this beautifully with her examples of experiences while working at Burger King!
We are so grateful to Lindsey Pollak for sharing her wisdom, to Lesly Mejia, our shining example of how Rewarding Potential Scholarship has been a part of launching her career, and to Fran Hauser of Bedford Books for hosting the event and moderating the discussion!
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Scholar Stories: Recent Manhattanville Graduate- Emely!

My academic career has been one that I will never forget, filled with challenges and growth. Along the way, I built lasting friendships that supported me through my college and personal life. Some of my most impactful experience and work came from my coursework in political science, biology, psychology, and sociology. I began to see the direction I wanted to take in my career and the values I wanted to carry with me.

Although my school lacked resources and support, I learned how to navigate those gaps by advocating for myself and finding the support I needed. Whether it was deciding which classes would best serve my goals or learning how to ask for aid; I knew I was never alone, and Rewarding Potential mentors were always there to support and help advocate for my needs. Additionally, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything if it hadn’t been for my mom and dad always lifting my spirit when I was down or felt like the obstacle was far too big for me. Even though they had no idea what was going on, they always did their best to support me and encourage me to keep pushing and for that I will forever be grateful. The importance of resilience and self-determination are lessons that have guided me well thus far.

I proudly serve as a Child Advocate with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. I have the privilege of supporting and advocating for immigrant children who feel limited in their voices or unsure how to be heard, as well as the language barrier. Helping the children find confidence within themselves has been one of the most rewarding parts.

At the same time, during my final semester in college, I discovered my passion for forensic psychology. It has given me a new perspective in understanding justice and human behavior, and it inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in forensic psychology in the near future. My college experience, my work with children, and my growing passion for forensic psychology have all shown me that my path is not only about building a career, but about creating meaningful change in the lives of others. I look forward to continuing that work with the same perseverance and dedication that has carried me this far.

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Announcing Our 2025 Scholars!

We are thrilled to welcome 7 impressive scholars to the RPS program! 

Every one of these deserving students will receive a four-year scholarship that will “close the gap on their unmet financial need”, allowing them to realize their dreams of attending college. They will also be assigned a mentor for these four years to help them navigate their launch into college and offer guidance and support on any challenges they encounter.

Here’s an introduction to this fantastic group:

David- plans to study civil or mechanical engineering at SUNY Stony Brook. David was involved in the engineering program at FLHS and was also active on the Volleyball team and with the Beekeeping Club.

Graci– is headed to Lehigh University with plans to pursue a degree in science. Graci was a part of the Science Research program at FLHS, was involved in several clubs, and is a recipient of the NY State Senate Certificate of Merit.

Emily– will attend Mercy College with plans to become a physician’s assistant. Emily has worked throughout her high school years and has been involved in the Hudson Valley Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.

Marcia– is attending SUNY New Paltz with plans to pursue a degree is economics. Marcia was involved in several clubs at FLHS and also was involved in the Keystone Club at the Boys & Girls Club.

Raul- is excited to head to SUNY Binghampton this fall, pursuing a degree in finance or economics. An avid trumpet player, Raul was a member of the Tri-M Honor Music Society and worked at a local pharmacy throughout high school.

Samantha- will be attending SUNY Stony Brook with plans to ultimately pursue a career in law. Samantha was active in several clubs, volunteered as a tutor at FLMS, and won a Greenlight Award.

Sophia is heading to SUNY Albany this fall, where she looks forward to studying psychology and Spanish. Sophia has worked hard throughout her high school career while also being involved in the Swim Team and several clubs.

We wish all of our 2025 scholars the best of luck as they embark on this next important stage in their lives!

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Scholar Stories: Maria’s Story

My name is María Chinchilla. I came to the United States six years ago. I’m from Guatemala.
Education has always been very important to me, as it’s the tool I need to help create a better world through knowledge. I had to start high school again when I came to the US. I graduated at the age of 21 years old.
Obtaining higher education after high school seemed impossible because I had to help my family financially. I feel so grateful to God and the people supporting me with the Rewarding Potential Scholarship. This financial aid helps me focus on my studies, allowing me to further my education and do extracurricular activities.
Words are not enough to express my gratitude. I hope to God that I can give back to the community one day.
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Scholar Stories: Milton’s Journey

I moved to the United States in 2013 from Guatemala. I did not speak English when I moved here. My goal was to learn English and just make it through High School. College was never in my plans; it was only a dream, but I need to say that RPS believed in me and gave me the confidence that I couldn’t find in myself.

One of my biggest obstacles was money. College was too expensive to cover all by myself, but thanks to RPS, which was there for me not only for moral support but also for financial support, my student loans decreased significantly.

Another challenge I faced during college was that since I am a first-generation college student, my family didn’t know or couldn’t guide me or advise me about the college experience. But having a mentor that is there for you, someone that you can trust, has helped me a lot to overcome a lot of the challenges I faced in college. I always knew who to call when I had a question or when I didn’t know what to do on certain occasions. By the time I was done with college, my mentor had become more than a mentor; he had become a friend, someone that I could actually trust.

Since I was a kid, I have wanted to build things. Now that I am a young project engineer, my dream has come true. My goal is to keep growing within the company I currently work for.

After completing college, the real world hits you, and I need to say that my construction management career so far has been full of excitement and experience. Since I finished college, I have completed five construction projects.

Without RPS, this dream would never have come true. They offered me the support and guidance that my family couldn’t give for being the first generation attending college.

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Scholar Stories: My College Journey as a First-Generation Guatemalan-American

I had the life changing opportunity to move to NYS in 2016. I boarded a plane for the first time in my life. All I brought with me was a carry-on bag full of dreams. I was scared and did not know what to expect. I knew I was sacrificing the comfort of all I had ever known while leaving behind my family.

I began my scholar journey at Fox Lane High School. I was welcomed and helped by the amazing ESOL team and guidance counselor who became my mentors and supported me in preparing for college. My path to college was challenging but rewarding. As an independent student, I worked full-time to pay for expenses and be involved in my school’s extracurriculars. I was determined to continue my education regardless of the obstacles, such as not having financial and onboarding support in the process.

I remember having to complete FAFSA, visit campuses, and figure out how to pay for tuition myself. Despite the many obstacles and challenges faced, I managed to graduate as part of the National Honor Society and with a seal of biliteracy from the state of NY. For college, I had the opportunity to attend SUNY Farmingdale State College for my A.A. and Pace University for my B.S. graduating summa cum laude.

During my senior year of college I worked at Westchester Medical Center in the patient experience department. Also, I developed my capstone project to advocate in many aspects of society’s social determinants of health focused on the mental and behavioral health aspect.

The Rewarding Potential scholarship made a significant impact on my life. The scholarship not only allowed me to be able to afford my school’s tuition, but it also provided me with two admirable mentors—Nancy and Rod. Even after I graduated from college, they continue to have a tremendous impact on my career endeavors as they provide me with educational advice and moral support.

Currently, I work as a patient access representative with the department of revenue cycle and ambulatory surgical services. My main role is to assist patients in affording their inpatient and outpatient services. I am proud of my work, as I have helped hundreds of uninsured and underinsured people obtain Medicaid and financial assistance. Moreover, after graduation I have been preparing to continue my registered nurse journey.

The Rewarding Potential scholarship opened the door for my professional development and helped me look beyond the horizon and be an agent of change within my community and institution. As I continue to work on my goals, I hope one day my story can motivate the youth to accomplish their aspirations.

-Ricardo

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