NJCDC and Paterson Public Schools Celebrate a Decade of Academic Excellence at the 10th Annual College Sendoff

Watch our video of the Sendoff

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On Saturday, August 3, NJCDC and Paterson Public Schools joined forces to host the 10th Annual College Sendoff to proudly honor college-bound Paterson students. The event awarded scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000 to approximately 80 students enrolling in four-year colleges and universities — the majority of whom will be the first members of their families to do so. Thanks to the support of all of our generous donors — especially our “Above and Beyond” donors Lisa Hirsh & Mark Schlossman and the family of Elizabeth and Dr. Allan DeGiulio — we were able to distribute over $20,000 in scholarships to aid these students in their academic endeavors.

Kicking off the event, NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci welcomed the students and their families to our historic Rogers Meeting Center for a special morning that marked a decade of sending off Paterson’s best and brightest. That, however, wasn’t the only factor making this day extra special, according to Bob, who underscored the significance of their accomplishment in a city where only 12% of adults have earned a college degree. He also noted how their achievements remind him that Paterson’s best days lie ahead, “but only if you come back to our city after graduating college, because Paterson needs bright minds like yours.”

Attendees then heard from the Superintendent of Paterson Public Schools, Dr. Laurie Newell, who began by looking around the room to note all the brilliance and potential in the faces surrounding her. Dr. Newell pointed out that “everything we do affects the community of Paterson — the work we do here with Bob Guarasci and NJCDC, with Mayor Sayegh. We all want the best for you; you are all our future.” She also congratulated the students on their hard work, and their families, for supporting the students in their educational journey.

Mayor Andre Sayegh followed with a personal anecdote to remind students that anything is possible after he went from graduating last in his high school class to eventual valedictorian at Columbia University — but only due to the unyielding support of his mother. Mayor Sayegh, echoing an earlier call for students to return home post-graduation, noted: “We want you to serve as Paterson ambassadors wherever you go...but I also look forward to seeing our emerging leaders triumphantly return to their hometown and continue to make Paterson proud.”

Rounding out the speeches was Great Falls Teen Center alum and rising junior on scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania, Stefany Morales. Stefany began by dispelling any misconceptions about Paterson students not being able to attend a prestigious program, or even go to college at all. She went on to share that, "My journey with NJCDC started [in an engineering program] when I was in middle school. I was very interested in the STEM field and am now majoring in biology. Ever since then I learned to love NJCDC. In high school, I joined Paterson Youth Council...[where] I met a lot of mentors [with whom] I continue to stay in touch." Her closing advice to attendees was to stay true to themselves, keep Paterson close to their hearts, and to believe in themselves even when they're having doubts.

David Gelman, NJCDC's Chief Program Officer, and Eddie Gonzalez, NJCDC’s Special Assistant to the CEO/Director of Community Outreach and a Paterson Board of Education member, started the awarding by selecting 10 students to receive $250 scholarships and 10 students to receive $500 scholarships. Ultimately, all students in attendance were recognized, with those otherwise not receiving a scholarship presented with a $100 award.

Additionally, four outstanding youth received scholarships from the Dr. Allan DeGiulio Scholarship Fund, which celebrates the legacy of the longtime executive of Greater Bergen Community Action who dedicated his life to providing educational opportunities to underserved youth. After he passed away in 2022, his family and friends started this scholarship fund that will help underserved youth to succeed in college.

The DeGiulio Family, led by Dr. DeGiulio’s daughter Merissa, first presented Isabel Feria Martinez with a $1,000 scholarship. Isabel is currently a junior at Rutgers University, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree after earning an associate degree in business administration from Passaic County Community College (PCCC). A former foster care resident, Isabel also mentors and tutors at her alma mater and resides at NJCDC’s Elm Street Apartments. The family then awarded $1,000 to Princaetonyjia "Princae" White, also an Elm Street Apartments resident, who completed her associate degree in biology at PCCC and is now pursuing a Nursing Degree at Eastwick College. Helping young people who were in foster care, like Dr. DeGiulio himself, is a special focus of this fund.

Receiving a $500 scholarship from the Dr. Allan DeGiulio Scholarship Fund, Joseph Aranda will attend Montclair State University this fall. The 2022 president of NJCDC’s Paterson Youth Council leadership development program, Joseph has volunteered extensively at NJCDC’s events, including block parties and FoodBox distributions. The final award from the DeGiulio family was a $500 scholarship presented to Namila Jishan. Also a member of the Paterson Youth Council, and a dedicated volunteer in her own right, Namila will attend Rutgers University this fall, bringing her passion for community service to her academic pursuits.

Bob additionally presented four $1,000 scholarships to accomplished young people, in recognition of their hard work and their dedication to their community. These scholarship recipients were Eduardo Mitzi, who will be attending Northeastern University; Azra Azad, who is heading to Rutgers University–New Brunswick; Samiha Chowdhury, who will be attending Montclair State University; and Luis Fuerte Lucero, who will be a student at St. Peter’s University.

Thank you to all the parents, teachers, NJCDC program staff, and others in the community for supporting these exemplary students along the way, and congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients — go make Paterson proud!