Ivy Foundation, AKA Collaboration Provides Student Scholarships

POUGHKEEPSIE – As another school year has concluded, the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter announced the 2023 Scholarship recipients.

With each passing year the responding applicants continue to appear accomplished and ready to make their mark in our communities. As a result, the Scholarship Committee had a major task before them.

The scholarship application period begins around the first of February each year and the recipients are selected from high schools within the Mid-Hudson Valley area. The Scholarship Committee is dedicated to helping students realize their potential and dreams.

Amira Ibrahim is the recipient of the Lorraine M. Petty Roberts Collegiate Scholarship. Amira attended Poughkeepsie High School and will be entering Yale University in the fall. This scholarship award is $2,500 and will be granted each year for up to four years if the requirements are met. Her career interests are Neuroscience/Medicine.

Jasmine Merritt is the recipient of the Betty E. White Collegiate Scholarship ($2,000). Jasmine attended Middletown High School and will be entering Barnard College of Columbia University in the fall. Her career interests are Law/Judiciary.

Sanaa Omondi is the recipient of the Karen Faulding-Sorlie Memorial Book Award ($500). Sanaa attended Highland High School and will be entering St. John’s University in the fall. Her career interest is Nursing.

Daniel Diaz is the recipient of the Mary Bentley Lamar Book Award ($500, this scholarship is new). He attended Dover High School and will be entering Dartmouth College in the fall.

Giovanna Brooks is the recipient of the HBCU Book Award ($500). Giovanna attended Pine Bush High School and will be entering Howard University in the fall. Her field of study is Actuarial Science.

Amanda Arvelo is the recipient of a Book Award ($500). Amanda attended Roy C. Ketcham High School and will enter either Union College or Johns Hopkins University in the fall. Her field of study is Biology/Medicine.

James Biernat is the recipient of a Book Award. James attended Red Hook High School and will be entering Drexel University in the fall. His area of study will be Business/Sports Analytics.

John Bopp is the recipient of a Book Award. James attended Stissing Mountain High School and will be entering SUNY Binghamton

in the fall. His area of study will be Mechanical Engineering.

Brianna Giangrasso is the recipient of a Book Award. Brianna attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School and will be entering Northeastern University in the fall. She will be studying Biochemistry.

Sherre Wesley is the president of the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Inc. and the 2023 Scholarship Chair. The 2023 Committee members are Lorna Woodside, Celestine Campbell, Joy Young, Edweana Aikens, Sandra Jackson and Mary Lewis-Holliday. Joy Rene’ Young is the president of the Iota Alpha Omega Chapter.

The chapter has served the Mid-Hudson Valley since 1969. Over the past fifty-three years, the Mid-

Hudson Ivy Foundation and its predecessors have been able to assist over 145 high school students further their education. While working in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Iota Alpha Omega Chapter, the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation has been able to award $150,000 in collegiate scholarships to high school seniors in the Mid-Hudson Valley area. They are honored to be able to continue to assist the communities they serve. If you are interested in donating to the foundation, please do so at https://www.midhudsonivyfoundation.org/donate.