Newark Latino Students Honored At 36th Scholarship Award Dinner

From the North Ward Center:

NEWARK, NJ – More than 300 people celebrated the 36th Annual Latino Scholarship Dinner at the North Ward Center in Newark on Thursday evening. In total, the NWC awarded scholarships to five Latino students from the city of Newark, in recognition of their academic achievements.

“In the spirit of my father, it is an honor to present scholarships to a group of promising young students from our Latino community, who are continuing their educational journey,” said Michele Adubato, Chief Executive Officer of the NWC. “This is the first year we are naming a scholarship after Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, who is the chair of the Senate Education Committee. For many years, Senator Ruiz has spearheaded educational improvements and programs for children and families in Newark and across the state. We are fortunate to have her as our advocate.”

Assistant Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Yolanda Mendez, along with Juan Rivera of the North Ward Center, hosted the scholarship dinner. Councilman Anibal Ramos brought greetings from the City. New Jersey State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Councilman At Large Carlos M. Gonzalez, Councilman At Large Luis A. Quintana, and Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Christopher Cerf also attended the evening’s festivities, honoring each scholar for their educational achievements.

Since 1980, the NWC’s Latino Scholarship program has provided over $100,000 in educational awards to 180 students throughout the city of Newark. Each year, prospective honorees submit an essay detailing their career goals, aspirations and ideas about how they would utilize the education award.

“Thanks to the generosity of the North Ward Center, more young Latino leaders across our city have been provided with the opportunity to pursue their academic and career goals,” said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. “This year’s scholarship winners represent the best and brightest of our community who will be future leaders in our workforce. I look forward to seeing the contributions they will make and ways they will give back to the community in the coming years.”

The NWC’s Latino Scholarship program, which began in 1980, was created to honor and support Newark students of Latino descent who have displayed significant academic achievements and are already attending college or plan to attend college in the near future.

Photo via the North Ward Center: From left to right: Jenilee Jaquez, Julisa Marcano, Brandon Caceres, Tecia Sanchez, and Joaquin Caceres.