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. Last week, we provided brief sketches of 17 of the students that showed what they have accomplished so far in their young lives. Now, we’d like you to meet the rest of this year’s scholarship recipients, along with summations of their their educational and career goals:
GABRIEL MILGROM — Hilton New York Hotel & Towers
Gabriel attends the Classics Institute at Tottenville High School. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Captain of the First Robotics Club. He is an officer in the Key Club and participates in the SING! theater productions. He is an ACE (Architecture/Construction/Engineering) Mentor, and placed eighth worldwide in the Empire Mock Trial Competition. He interns at a local hospital and volunteers at a medical office. Gabriel plans a career in computer engineering and will attend SUNY at Stony Brook.
KAMIL OLECHOWSKI — Beekman Tenants Corp.
At Henry P. Becton Regional High School Kamil is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the Honor Guard. He is a member of the Varsity Soccer Team and the Varsity Wrestling Team. Kamil volunteers as a coach at a local judo club. He plans a career in engineering and will major in civil engineering at Rutgers University.
JOSHUA PAYEN — Carlton Hotel
Joshua is the only person in the history of Regis High School to have completed the sports Pentathlon (five events in one afternoon) three times. He is a member of the Heritage Club through which he represented the school at the Conference on Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students. He is a member of the Cross Country/ Track & Field Team. He is also a member of the French Club and is a French Peer Tutor and an English Peer Tutor. As a REACH program student himself, Joshua is now a program mentor, camp counselor and teacher’s assistant. He plans a career in medicine and will major in biology at Princeton University.
RHYZ PEREIRA — Waldorf=Astoria Hotel
Rhyz is President of the Astronomy Club at Regis High School. He is Founder of the Science Olympiad Team that won the “New School” award at the NYC championships. He is a Physics Peer Tutor, a member of the Freshman Student Advisor Program, and a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Rhyz works as a research assistant in the biochemistry laboratory at Queens College. He also volunteers at a local nursing home. He plans a career in engineering and will study chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
FORHAD RAHMAN — Roosevelt Hotel
Forhad is Captain of the Bowling Team at the High School of American Studies at Lehman College. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Poetry Club. He worked as a summer intern at the Pediatrics Department of NY Presbyterian Hospital, and volunteers at his local library. Forhad will major in chemistry at SUNY at Albany and plans a career in science research.
SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ — Doubles International Club
At Ethical Culture Fieldston School Samantha is Co-Leader of the Students United for Multicultural Education Club. She is a member of the Students to Students Program and the Bridge to Bridge Program. She is also the Manager of the Varsity Field Hockey Team. Samantha completed the NYC Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program. She volunteers as an advisor for the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. She plans a career in law and will major in political science at Colgate University.
PHYLICIA RODRIGUEZ-CHIU — Peninsula New York Hotel
Phylicia is Captain of Stuyvesant High School’s Varsity Swimming and Diving Team. She is a member of the Art Crew for the SING! musical event and a cartoonist for the school newspaper. Phylicia also swims for the local swim club team and works there as a swim instructor. She volunteers as a tutor at her local library. Phylicia will attend Cornell University and major in cell biology. She plans a career in medical research.
SANGITA ROY — Le Parker Meridien Hotel
Sangita is President of the Indian Club and a member of the National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society at William Cullen Bryant High School. She works in the school’s program office and is a Math Peer Tutor as well as a grade school tutor. Sangita received Honorable Mention for her submission in the American Mathematics Competition. She plans a career in education and will major in mathematics at Hunter College of CUNY.
KIMBERLY TAN — Manhattan Time Share Club
At The Bronx High School of Science Kimberly is a Student Senator and a member of the National Honor Society. She is an Event Planning Leader for the Seekers Club and plays for the Varsity Volleyball Team. Kimberly works at a local hospital and has assisted the Associate VP for Development in planning their annual fundraising gala. Kimberly will major in finance at Boston University School of Management. She plans a career in International Business.
ALEMANTE TEDLA — Plaza Athenee Hotel
Alemante was selected as a Prep for Prep scholar. He writes for Westminster School’s newspaper and is a Peer Tutor and a member the Eco-Team, the school’s environmental club. He plays for the Varsity Baseball, Junior Varsity Basketball and Junior Varsity Football teams. He serves as Dormitory Prefect and is a Black and Gold Club Tour Guide. Alemante has interned with the NYC Department of Education. He will major in chemistry at Columbia University and plans a career in medicine.
MICHAEL VU — Hilton Manhattan East Hotel
At Secaucus High School Michael is President of the National Honor Society and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and the American Technology Honor Society. He writes for the school newspaper and is a member of the Foreign Language Club, the Key Club, the Science Club and Student Government. He sings with the Concert Chorus, plays Varsity Soccer and runs Outdoor Track. Michael is Secretary of the Secaucus chapter of People to People International. He was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service bronze medal and the Gold Medal in the 55th Annual Hudson County Science Fair. He s a member of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy. Michael received Best Speaker award for his work with the Junior State of America program. He plans a career as an environmental engineer and will major in hydrology at Lehigh University.
VALBONA VUCETAJ — Gramercy Park Hotel
At Bishop Kearney High School Valbona is Vice President of the Physics Club and a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and the Crafts Club. She writes for the school newspaper and won first prize in the IFAMA (International Food & Agribusiness Management Association) Essay Contest. Valbona works part-time and interned with a community newspaper. She plans a career in international business and will attend Baruch College of CUNY where she will major in finance.
WALLACE WANG — New York Palace Hotel
Wallace is a member of the National Honor Society, the Math Team, the Key Club, the Science Olympiad and the Red Cross Club at Stuyvesant High School. He qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam, for the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, the Princeton University Mathematics Competition, and the New York State Mathematics League Competition. Wallace volunteers at a local hospital and participates in Dragonboat racing. He will major in engineering at the University of Michigan and plans a career in business.
DANIEL WENG — Four Seasons Hotel
Daniel was selected as a Prep for Prep scholar. At Collegiate School he is Vice President of the Asian Culture Club, writes for the newspaper and is a member of the Yearbook Committee and JAMAA, the school’s support group for diversity issues. He runs for the Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field teams and swims with the Boys Club Team. Daniel interned at a non-profit microfinance firm and taught English to orphaned children in the Dominican Republic. He plans a career in economics and micro-financing and will attend the University of Pennsylvania.
ALLEN WU — Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Allen is Event Coordinator of Studio 94, a music and community service club, at Hunter College High School. He is a candidate for the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars award and is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. He is a member of the school’s Varsity Boys’ Fencing team and a pianist with the Chamber Music Society. Allen plays piano at a local nursing home, is a summer camp counselor, and founded a tutoring service at his church. He was awarded for his entry in the NY Hotel Trades Council Writing Contest. He interned at CCNY as a psychology research assistant and works at a local hospital. Allen will major in psychology at Emory University and plans a career in medicine.
COURTNEY YASUDA — Mandarin Oriental Hotel
At Staten Island Technical High School Courtney is a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club and the Art Club. She was the Staten Island representative at the NY State Summer School of the Arts and one of eight students nationally to participate in the Digital Arts Program. Courtney volunteers at her local library. She will major in electronic arts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and plans a career in animation.
SANDRA ZHU — Warwick Hotel
Sandra is Secretary of the National Honor Society and President of the Environmental Club at Edward R. Murrow High School. She is a member of the Math Honor Society and the Asian American Student Association. Sandra volunteers as an assistant in the Social Studies office and as an office assistant/fundraiser at her church’s Love your Neighbor Club. She interned at the American Museum of Natural History. She plans a career in science research and will major in chemistry at SUNY Binghamton.
2013 FRANK E. SARIS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER
TASNIM AHMED — Harvard Club
Tasnim is a candidate for Stuyvesant High School’s 2013 valedictorian. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Editor of the Features section of the school newspaper and Editor of the yearbook. She is a member of the Red Cross Team and the Science Olympiad Team. Tasnim works part-time at a tutoring center, and volunteers tutoring grade school students. She also volunteers at her local library and hospital. Tasnim will attend Harvard University and plans a career in medicine.
