College Scholarships Awarded to 38 High School Seniors

The cost of college keeps rising at an alarming rate and this edition of Hotel Voice has some suggestions to help students and parents cope with this serious issue. But there are 38 high school seniors who got some big help paying for college from their parents’ union on June 17. They are this year’s Vito J. Pitta, Frank Saris and Division A scholarship recipients.

Since its inception in 1987, the scholarship program has now awarded $7,688,000 in college grants to 961 children of Hotel Trades Council and Local 6 members employed in hotels and private clubs. This year’s scholarship recipients will receive a total of $304,000, with each winner receiving a grant of $8,000 payable in $2,000 increments for each year of college.

Hotel Association President Joseph Spinnato was on hand to greet the winners and a message of congratulations was sent by Peter Ward, who was unable to attend because of pressing legislative matters in Albany.

Both Ward and Spinnato congratulated not only the 38 scholarship recipients but also their parents, saluting their hard work and dedication.

The Chief Executive Officer of the union and the Hotel Association’s Benefit Funds, Dr. Robert Greenspan, also congratulated the students, and he reminded them that the scholarships they received come with special responsibilities.

Before announcing the individual award recipients, Scholarship Committee Chairperson Lawrence Momo urged them to remember to exercise their right to vote, noting that this will be the first U.S. presidential election for all of them. “I’m not telling you how to vote, I’m just saying that it is something you should do,” said Momo. Everyone in the room agreed.

Momo also introduced the members of the Scholarship Committee who were present. As most members of our union are aware, neither the union nor management have any say in the determination of the scholarship recipients. Instead, Momo and his committee of professional educators determine the winners. The committee consists John W. Buckley, Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment at Fordham University, Beverly Fox, Associate Dean of Studies at Sarah Lawrence College, Peter Johnson, Directorof Admissions at Columbia University and Elise Rodriguez, Director of College Guidance at The Chapin School. Momo himself is the Director of College Counseling at Trinity School.

A number of factors are taken into account by the Scholarship Committee in selecting the award recipients, including scholastic achievement, financial need, extracurricular activities and community service. Many of those who submit applications are interviewed by members of the committee.

Momo noted that once again this year the scholarship recipients make up an extraordinary group of scholars, with many exceptional talents to be developed over the next four years.

Following the presentation of the awards certificates by Joseph Spinnato and Hotel Trades Council Executive Vice President Chris Cusack, Training and Scholarship Fund Director Vicky Spitalere asked the parents of the scholarship recipients to stand up. They received a loud and long round of applause from everyone present, including the great staff at the Pierre Hotel, where the awards ceremony was held.

As we have found in the past, this year’s scholarship awards show that achievement is common to many families within the union. In fact, six of this year’s scholarship recipients have siblings who are previous award winners, and one of them, Shawn Huynh, has two siblings that are previous scholarship recipients.

The names of this year’s scholarship winners and their colleges and career goals are published in this edition of Hotel Voice. Like the scholarship recipients that have preceded them, this year's 38 scholars comprise an amazing group of dedicated and promising young adults. They make all of us proud!