18th Annual H.V. Latino Scholarship Awards

NEWBURGH – Eddie Ramirez lovingly refers to them as “my children”…..all 111 of them.

They are the over 100 local high school Latino students who have been recognized with the prestigious honor of a Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Award since 1999. That number got even larger Thursday night at Newburgh’s Ramada Inn, where eight more worthy seniors were handed out their scholarship checks along with other highly revered recognitions at the 18th Annual Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Awards Dinner.

Established back in 1999 by the Ramirez family of R & M Promotions in Poughkeepsie, the scholarship program was initiated to recognize the academic feats as well as community service of local Latino high school students. Begun as a small venture, it has blossomed over the years, adding an assortment of loyal sponsors, including; Ulster Savings Bank, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Empire Savings Bank and Marshall & Sterling. Some of the other pivotal supporters over the years include; Patrick Sean Maloney, Representative United States Congress, Francena Amparo, Dutchess County Legislature, and Sonya Ayala, Orange County Latino Democratic Committeee. The support has resulted in an evolving and highly successful program whose dividends have been priceless to all the lives it has touched.

“This scholarship program is something we are very proud of; we have worked very hard to attain the funds to support it,” said Eddie Ramirez of R & M Promotions, who has been relentlessly supported by his wife Norma and two sons in their mission to stress the power of eduction, as well as giving back to one’s community. “We don’t just give recipients a quick recognition and send them on their way; rather, they become an extended family, coming to our Annual Latin Gala and other events, so I can now say I have 111 children in addition to my own.”

One of the Ramirezes new “children” is 2016 recipient, Isis Benitez of Poughkeepsie High School, who will be attending Marist and majoring in either math or psychology in the fall. For Benitez, being informed about the scholarship was almost literally a last minute event.

“Two days ago, Tuesday afternoon my guidance counselor told me about the scholarship; I got all of my materials in by that afternoon, and then I called at seven last night (Wednesday) to see if I got it,” said an excited Benitez, who has a Puerto Rican heritage. “I found out that I was one of the winners, and I was beyond excited because I needed at least one scholarship to make my mom happy.”

Another recipient, Jaymie DeLeon of Newburgh Free Academy, was also anxious about her selection. DeLeon, of Dominican Republican and Puerto Rican descent, will be attending the University of Albany in the fall, where she will major in Human Biology.

“I really did not think I was going to get it,” said DeLeon about the scholarship. “I was notified last week, and it’s just so nice because it’s a big part of who I am, my heritage; this will really help out with my college costs tremendously.”

Yet another scholarship recipient, Tyler Knox, the Valedictorian of Washingtonville High School, headed to the University of Pennsylvania to major in business and biology in the fall, pointed to the special nature of this particular scholarship as well as the deep responsibility he feels to make the most of it.

“I wanted to apply for this scholarship because it celebrates my Puerto Rican heritage which I’m very proud of and honors my accomplishments as a young Latino,” said Knox. “I’m hoping my successes are an inspiration for other Latinos to strive for more academic and personal success.”

Other 2016 Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Award recipients include; Olivia Lopez (Pine Bush High School), Thomas Crowfoot (Pine Bush High School), Adalhia Hart (Pine Bush High School), Brittany Calleja (Middletown High School), and Jacquelyn DeJesus (Middletown High School.)