Meet the 2013 Vito J. Pitta Scholarship Winners

 

A few weeks ago, Hotel Voice provided the names of the 2013 recipients of the Vito J. Pitta scholarships. A total of 35 graduating high school seniors received $280,000 in college grant money this year, and the program overall has now awarded a total of $7,080,000 to 885 students since its inception. Like their predecessors, this year’s scholarship winners are accomplished students who nevertheless find time to be contributing members of their communities. We’d like you to meet some of this year’s scholarship winners through these brief sketches that show what they have accomplished so far in their young lives and what their educational and career goals are. We’ll introduce the others to you in an upcoming edition of Hotel Voice.

TANVIR AHMED — St. Regis Hotel

At Bergen County Technical High School Tanvir achieved All-League status as a runner with the Varsity Track Team. He is a member of the Physics Club and is a Peer Leader. As a participant in the Young Science Achievers Program, he received a certificate of excellence in National Science League Physics Olympiad. He is a member of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s Pre-Medical Honors Program. Tanvir participated in the Youth Interfaith Dialogue at the U.N. Federation for Middle East Peace convention. He is an intern with an electrical engineering firm and works at a tutoring center. Tanvir will study chemical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

JOSHUA BALASA — Omni Berkshire Hotel

Joshua is Vice President of the Asian Society at St. Peter’s Prep High School. He is also a member of the school’s TV & Studio Club and the Marauders Nation, the student-led fan section at school athletic events. Joshua works at the school bookshop and is a Senior Camp Counselor at a summer camp. He will study education at Pace University and plans a career as a history teacher.

EMMARIA BORRELL — Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers

Emmaria is the 2013 valedictorian at the Community Health Academy of the Heights. She participates in the Minds Matter writing program and is a volunteer for YUM Fresh Foods. Emmaria also works as an intern at a rehabilitation center. She plans a career as a pediatrician and will major in biology at Wagner College.

JONATHAN CAMPIONE — Wellington Hotel

At Interboro High School Jonathan is a member of the Class Congress and sits on the scholarship and eligibility committees of the Student Council. He the Vice President of Future Business Leaders of America as well as of the National Honor Society, and is Captain of the Physics Olympics. He is a member of the Pennsylvania East H. O’Brien Youth Leadership Council and the Delco Hi-Q academic quiz team. Jonathan is a freshman mentor and works at a summer day camp. He will major in history at Temple University and plans a career as a high school teacher.

STEVEN CASTANO — Omni Berkshire Hotel

Steven won first place in the Medical Terminology competition at the Health Occupations Students of America competition, and he was a semi-finalist in the Siemens Math, Science and Technology competition. At Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science school Steven is a member of the National Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society and Health Occupational Students of America. He is a participant on the Male Gymnastics Team and represents the school to incoming students. Steven works as a camp counselor and volunteers at a medical center. He is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He will attend Yale University where he will study bio-chemistry in preparation for a career in medicine.

MABEL CHAN — W New York Times Square Hotel

Mabel is a student in the Medical Science Institute at Midwood High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Key Club. She volunteers at school as a teacher’s assistant. In her community, she volunteers at a doctor’s office and at two local pharmacies. Mabel plans a career as a pharmacist and will attend St. John’s University.

RUO YUN NANCY CHEN — Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan Hotel

At The Bronx High School of Science Nancy is a member of the Origami Club and the Starving Artists Association. She works on the Biology lab cleanup squad, and assists in the Guidance Office. Nancy also volunteers at her local library. She plans a career as a pharmacist and will attend St. John’s University.

EDMOND CHEUNG — Peninsula New York Hotel

At the Collegiate School Edmond volunteers on the admissions committee of the Prep for Prep program and is a student of the Columbia Science Honors Program. He is the Co-President of the Math Team, and a member of the Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track teams. Edmond sings with the Upper School Chorus and plays piano with the Applied Music group. He is a grand prize recipient of the NY Hotel Trades Council Essay Contest. Edmond will study computer science at Washington University in St. Louis and plans a career in business.

FABBIHA CHOWDHURY — Helmsley Park Lane Hotel/Hilton NY Hotel & Towers

Fabbiha is Richmond Hill High School’s 2013 Salutatorian and Senior President. She is a a member of the National Honor Society and the Principal’s Consultative Council. Fabbiha is the lead Math Clinic tutor and works in the school’s College Office. She volunteers in her community through her Key Club service. Fabbiha plans a career in medicine and will major in bio-chemistry at Brooklyn College of CUNY.

ALYSSA DESOUZA — Westin Times Square Hotel

Alyssa is a member of the National Honor Society at Susan E. Wagner High School where she also runs on the Track & Field team. She volunteers as a monitor during parent/teacher conferences and has raised funds for the local animal shelter. Alyssa is a member of the choir at her church, and is a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard. She plans a career as a physical therapist and will study at Hunter College of CUNY.

SANDRA EISEN — Waldorf=Astoria Hotel

At Cresskill High School Sandra is President of the Spanish National Honor Society. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Italian National Honor Society. Sandra is Captain of the Varsity Debate Team, Manager of the Varsity Track Team, and Founder and President of the school’s Environmental Corps. She is both Copy Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper and Overall Captain of the Varsity Colorguard. She participates on the Cheerleading Team and writes for the literary magazine. Sandra volunteers in her community at a local hospital and a religious school, and she is a member of the Cresskill Environmental Commission. Sandra will major in bio-chemistry at the College of New Jersey and plans a career in medicine.

CLAUDIA FANG — 70 Park Avenue Hotel

Claudia is Co-President and Co-Founder of Hunter College High School’s Studio 94, a music and community service club. She is Copy Editor, Publicity Secretary and a Staff Writer for the school newspaper. She is a member of the Student Government and the Asian Cultural Society. Claudia received the New York Life Award for Scholastic Art & Writing and was published in the Best Teen Writing of 2012. She works as a piano tutor and volunteers at a local senior home. Claudia will pursue a career in international business and will attend New York University Stern School of Business.

LISA HUANG — Trump Soho Hotel

Lisa is a Layout Staff Member for Stuyvesant High School’s newspaper, as well as a member of the Cross Country Team and the Blood Drive Committee. She teaches English at the local Chinese Immigrants Services and volunteers at a local hospital. Lisa will pursue a career in business and will major in marketing at Baruch College of CUNY.

 FARIHA HUSSAIN — Roosevelt Hotel

At Townsend Harris High School Fariha is the Captain of the Girls’ Fencing Varsity Team, Manager of the Boys’ Fencing Team, was the City Champion for the 2011-2012 season and was voted Most Valuable Player in her senior year. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Model UN, the Art Club, Amnesty International and the Muslim Students Association. Fariha was a semi-finalist in the Ayn Rand international writing contest. She also volunteers in her local library. She plans a career in filmmaking and will major in Film and Video Production at City College of NY of CUNY.

ARDEN LEE — Waldorf=Astoria Hotel

Arden is a board member of the Chinese Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society at Livingston High School. She also volunteers locally through her service with the Key Club. Arden is a black belt Hwang Karate student and assistant instructor. She is a member of the Livingston Township Advisory Committee for the Disabled. Her work has been published in the school literary magazine as well as in Teen Ink magazine, and she received Honorable Mention in the Indiana University Literary Contest. Arden plans a career in science research and writing. She will study creative writing and chemistry at Susquehanna University.

KATIE LEE — Trump International Hotel & Tower

At Midwood High School’s Medical Science Institute Katie is the Secretary of the Asian Society Club, and a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, the Physics Club, the Model Congress and Amnesty International. She is a Manager for the Boys’ Bowling Team, a Peer Tutor and a Monitor for the Physics and Social Studies Departments. She is a member of the Yearbook Committee and the Layout & Selection Editor for the school literary magazine. She interns at a local pharmacy and is a member of the Youth Group at her church. Katie will attend St. John’s University and plans a career as a pharmacist.

MICHELLE MACK — Hilton New York Hotel & Towers

Michelle is the recipient of Cardinal Spellman High School’s Diamond “S” Award for academic excellence and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is Co-Captain of the Cheerleading Team and Captain of the Softball Team. Michelle works as a secretary at her church rectory and as a sales associate for a clothing store. She will pursue a career as a speech pathologist and will attend Lehman College of CUNY.