Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. Announces 2012 Award Recipients

TEANECK, NJ, October 23, 2012

The Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. (HBCSF), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization based in Teaneck, New Jersey, awarded $40,000 in scholarships and stipends for course-required materials to 19 current college and college-bound Hispanic students. The 2012 scholarship recipients and stipend awardees were drawn throughout the state. From 1993 to the present, the foundation has awarded $365,500 to 139 students throughout the state.

The HBCSF has a mission to advance the educational aspirations of Hispanic students so that they may become professionals, leaders and valued citizens of the community. The foundation accomplishes this by providing scholarships for a college education based on academic excellence and financial need.

The following students received scholarship awards ranging from $2,000-$4,000.

Geovanna Castaneda, Belleville. $4,000. Ms. Castaneda is presently a student at the College of Saint Elizabeth majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Keysi Castillo, Garfield. $3,000. Ms. Castillo, a 2011 HBCSF scholarship recipient, is currently a student at Ramapo College pursuing an undergraduate degree in Spanish education with minors in Latin American Studies and Italian.

Emilio Eriksen, Denville. $2,000. A graduate of Morris Knolls High School, Mr. Eriksen is a student at Kings College pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

Sebastian Faciolince, Ridgefield Park. $2,000. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, Mr. Faciolince was also a 2011 HBCSF stipend recipient. Mr. Faciolince graduated from Bergen Community College in May with an associate degree in drafting and design technology. He is currently studying Architectural Engineering at Essex County College.

Elaine Gomez, Union City. $4,000. Ms. Gomez was HBCSF's 2011 recipient of the Platinum Sponsors Outstanding Achievement Award and a 2010 scholarship awardee. A chemical engineering student at New Jersey Institute of Technology's Honors College, she is also a volunteer tutor on the campus and conducting environmental research.

Michael Ippolito, Hoboken. $3,000. Mr. Ippolito, a graduate of Hoboken High School, is attending Stevens Institute of Technology. He plans to pursue chemical biology studies in college.

Juana Sanchez, Union City. $3,000. Ms. Sanchez graduated from High Tech High School and is enrolled at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.

Melissa Santos, Union City. $4,000. A sophomore at Seton Hall University, Ms. Santos is pursuing studies in political science and a pre-law track. A graduate of High-Tech High School in North Bergen, she was a 2011 HBCSF scholarship recipient.

Monica Tavarez, Union City. $2,000. Ms. Tavarez graduated Union City High School this year and is attending Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.

Martin Ventoso, Newark. $3,000. Mr. Ventoso, a 2011 HBCSF scholarship recipient, is the HBCSF 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Mercedes-Benz USA. A graduate of Saint George's School in Rhode Island, he is currently a sophomore attending The Johns Hopkins University.

Christopher Ventura, Newark. $2,000. Mr. Ventura is attending Rider University and pursuing a double major in political science and American Studies.

The following students received stipends of $1,000 to be used for course-required materials.

Anjelly Apolinario, Passaic. A graduate of Passaic High School, Mr. Apolinario is attending William Paterson University and plans to pursue a degree in mathematics.

Ruth Dominguez, Morristown. A graduate of Morristown High School, Ms. Dominguez plans to major in biology and minor in psychology and hopes to become a pediatrician. She is enrolled as a first-year student at Drew University.

Jazmine Figueroa, Newark. Ms. Figueroa, a 2011 HBCSF stipend recipient, is enrolled at New Jersey City University and pursuing a degree in P-3 Special Education and Psychology. Upon graduation, she plans to become a teacher. She is an active member in her community volunteering with Girl Scouts of America and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Lino Genao, Newark. A graduate of Essex County College, Mr. Genao is studying chemical engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Rosalyn Grullon, Paterson. Ms. Grullon graduated from the Academy of Health Sciences and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology at The College of New Jersey.

Angelica Llerena, Union City. Ms. Llerena is a graduate of Union City High School and a first year student at Montclair State University.

Eva Payano-Veras, Boonton. Ms. Payano-Veras is currently a senior at Montclair State University pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Gabrielle San Roman, Cedar Grove. A graduate of Cedar Grove High School, Ms. San Roman is an accomplished musician pursuing a degree in Music Education and Choral Conducting at Westminster Choir College.

Sponsors

To date, the 2012 sponsors instrumental in providing funding for this year's awards by platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels are as follows. Platinum sponsors are Quixote Dunes, Inc. and Wells Fargo Private Bank. Gold sponsors are Berkeley College and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC followed by silver sponsors Lowenstein Sandler Attorneys At Law and Unilever. The bronze level sponsors are Booz | Allen | Hamilton, Luhrs & Associates, New Jersey Accounting Services, Inc., Prudential, PSE&G, The Center for Better Smiles, LLC, and U.S. Financial Services, LLC. In-kind sponsor is Edward Chase Images.

The 2013 HBCSF scholarship application may be downloaded at the organization's web site. Donations are welcome and may be made online or sent to HBCSF, 429C Cedar Lane #313, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666. For more information about the recipients, sponsorship opportunities, donations, and other inquiries, visit the organization's web site.

The Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization with a mission to advance the educational aspirations of Hispanic students so that they may become professionals, leaders and valued citizens of the community. The foundation accomplishes this by providing scholarships for a college education based on academic excellence and financial need. For further information, visit the organization's web site or send an e-mail.