Foundation Awards Scholarships to 237 Students

• by post
• Wednesday, June 18 2025 @ 07:39 pm
• Posted in News and Views

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PARAMUS, N.J. – Last month, the Bergen Community College Foundation awarded $187,750 in scholarships to 237 students for the upcoming fall semester. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization recognized the scholarship awardees during an afternoon ceremony at the College on May 1.

“By addressing the financial barriers to obtaining a college degree, the Bergen Community College Foundation helps students realize their dreams,” Foundation Board of Directors Char Dan Foley said. “I am sincerely grateful for the donors who make these dreams a reality.”

Donors contribute to the Foundation through one-time gifts, endowments and grants that support student scholarships, educational programs and special initiatives at Bergen.

More than 500 students applied for scholarships as part of the current awards cycle. Students apply by submitting information such as their program of study, GPA and essays. College faculty and staff volunteers evaluate student applications, score them and match the highest ranked entries with individual scholarship criteria outlined in the donor funds.

The following students have received scholarship awards during the current cycle (organized by hometown):

Avenel

· Trisha Echegoyen - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Belleville

· Eduardo Zambrano - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Sabrina Ramos - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

Bergenfield

· Chennelle Kayla Brown - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Fernando Vasquez - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Matthew Saleh - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Analiza Brequillo - Eleanor D’Avino Memorial Scholarship

· Berna Anonuevo - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Chenelle Castor - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Ndeye Madjiguene Thomas - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Noah Rohan - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Philip Shaji Baby - Louis Girshon Memorial Endowed Scholarship

· Salome Jimenez - National Board for Respiratory Care Scholarship

· Sione Douglas - Bryce B & Edna Lee Endowed Scholarship

· Sona Benny - Sonia Sklaver Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Bloomfield

· Michael Bevilacqua - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Yasmine Rahmani - LEO Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Bogota

· Fatima Sagheer - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Elian Pion - Lakeland Bank Scholarship

· Raul Jimenez - Veolia Scholarship

Brooklyn

· Christiana Ihedioha - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

Budd Lake

· Laura Valentina Abella Parada - John “JD” David Memorial Scholarship

Carlstadt

· Theresa Krusznis - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Giovanna Lameiras Dvoranen - David A. Gille Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Cliffside Park

· Melanie Mercado - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Lyn Tian - Louis Girshon Memorial Endowed Scholarship

· Ashley Kirchoff - Michael J. Esposito Endowed Scholarship

· Joselyn Rea Merino - Michael Orlando Scholarship

Clifton

· Ismael Espinal - National Board for Respiratory Care Scholarship

· Samir Salhah - John “JD” Davis Memorial Scholarship

· Jennifer Cruz - Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship

Closter

· Meihua Jin - National Board for Respiratory Care Scholarship

Cresskill

· Edgar Patricio Lasso Lazo - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Aaron Park - Reverend Carnig Antranik Hallajian Endowed Scholarship

· Ji Won Kang - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

Cuenca

· Edgar Patricio Lasso Lazo - Stryker Orthopedics Endowed Scholarship Fund

Dumont

· Laura Santos - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Chantel Powell - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Yurianna Botero - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Ngima Dolma Sherpa - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Tyler Green - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

East Rutherford

· Mehmet Ali Demir - Veolia Scholarship

Edgewater

· Hyunju Lee - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Elmwood Park

· Camilla Arias - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Anthony Infante - National Board for Respiratory Scholarship

· Hemang Patel - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Merve Aydinli - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Emerson

· David Benitez - BCC Student Veteran Scholarship Fund

Englewood

· Hyeongyu Jo - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Ejohnay Davonia Crooks - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Yeryn Park - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Emmanuel Arias - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Fair Lawn

· Elizabeth Mykytyuk - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Regev Rikin - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Yusuf Celik - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Aminat Amosu - Sonia Sklaver Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

· Kaylee Tani - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Shehtabbanu Shaikh - LEO Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Melany Zulay Quiroz Delgado - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Jacqueline Crane - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Fairview

· John Bigler - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

Fort Lee

· Christine Gim - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Paris Wilkins - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Deukho Kim - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Dowoo Kim - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Justin Hernandez - Bogota Savings Bank Scholarship

Garfield

· Michelle Chinalski - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Semra Kaya - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Vanessa Bolic - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Emilly Vitoria De Sa Santos - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Rita Motta - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Mingu Bak - Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship

· Mingu Bak - Dr. Bill Jiang Memorial ESL Success Scholarship

· Cvetanka Manoleva - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Emilia Walus - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Mingu Bak - Dr. Bill Jiang Memorial ESL, Success Scholarship

· Tyler Bolus - Gourmet Dining Scholarship

Glen Ridge

· Savannah Stone - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Hackensack

· Justin Mboya - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Gisella Loayza - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Kruvika Gandhi - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Antony Charlier - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Jahmelia Haughton - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Bryan Medina - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Alperen Dikiei - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Jordana Friginette - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Raphael Velazuez - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Chelsea Saldana - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Crisabela Alvardo - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Crisabela Alvarado - Dr. Bill Jiang Memorial ESL Success Scholarship

· Hei Young Kang - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Luis Nivicela - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Woo Jung Lee - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Cristian Tenempaguay - The Marilyn Weiner and Melissa Krieger Future Educator Fund

· Jezen Flores - James J. Wiley Endowed Scholarship

· Madison Bahnsen - Bogen, David & Mary Fund

Hasbrouck Heights

· Sara Gajee - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Suat Sedat Kaya - Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship

· Lusila Yzellari - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Hillsdale

· Jessica Perez - Sonia Sklaver Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Jersey City

· Sanah Ahmed - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Alyssa Morris - Jeremiah & Yolands Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Jun Hyuk Lee - Sonia Sklaver Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

· Cynthia Nwadike - LEO Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Gracy Patel - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Kearny

· Luis Urueta - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Jessica Perez - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Nathalia Silva - Michael Orlando Scholarship

Leonia

· Michelle Saez - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Sung Oh - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Yeji Yun - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Daniel Klinger - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Aden Even-Ezra - Paul David Walter Memorial Scholarship

· FNU Sachin - Helene Molstad Endowed Scholarship

· Melody Toro - Helene Molstad Endowed Scholarship

Little Ferry

· Paul Lee - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Daniel Gonzalez - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Biraj Shrestha - Louis Girshon Memorial Endowed Scholarship

· Marina Boulos - Veolia Scholarship

· Xheni Korcari - Veolia Scholarship

· Juana Almonte - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Juhi Patel - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Lodi

· Melike Atmaca - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Ayse Ardan - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Maria Alexa Beltre Boitel - Michael Orlando Scholarship

· Marcelle Reyes - Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship

· Shariff Sanabria Isaza - Barbara Sugarman Scholarship

Lyndhurst

· Ginangel Gonzalez - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Lana Gillissen - Rose Becker Endowed Scholarship

· Edilson Limber Rumay Ibarra - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Caua Kevyn Martins Brasil - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Irem Eroglu - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Michelle Boinett - Pitkin Foundation Scholarship

Mahwah

· Gianni Racioppi - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Sarah McGraw - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Rachael Miller - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

Marlboro

· Philana Hackett - Helene Molstad Endowed Scholarship

Maywood

· Jenny Cabauatan - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Angela Korea - Veolia Scholarship

Midland Park

· Christian Cerrito - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Kathryn Flatin - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Jessica Pawelec - Michael J. Esposito Endowed Scholarship

Millburn

· Sandreen Broadbelt - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Montclair

· Anthony Quioco - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

Moonachie

· Ali Barakat - Dr. Richard Ciccone endowed Scholarship

Netcong

· Jamie Hernandez - Michael Orlando Scholarship

New Milford

· Derya Nur Arslan - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Justin Torrente - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Samantha Wray - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Ronni Ben-Israel - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Aleena Biju - National Board for Respiratory Care Scholarship

Newark

· Astrid Fernandez - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

· Aimeelee Morales - National Board for Respiratory Care Scholarship

· Anuoluwapo Abraham - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Rayane De Aquino Dias - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

· Anixsa Tejada - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Jennel Jackson - Adler Family Scholarship

North Arlington

· Lucyana Da Silva - Reverend Carnig Antranik Hallajian Endowed Scholarship

· Luke Zepeda - Securing Our Future Scholarship

· Rachel Koch - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Sevval Basaran - Barbara Sugarman Scholarship

North Bergen

· Kenny Noriega - Nancy Gillespie Memorial Nursing Scholarship

· Gianna Liggio - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Valentina Lagos - Arthur & Cecilia Tolve Hospitality/Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship

Northvale

· Luke Guendy - VJ Patel Family Scholarship

Norwood

· Ahreum Seo - Jeremiah & Yolanda Ciancia Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Jessie Corso - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Ahreum Soo - Dr. Bill Jiang Memorial ESL Success Scholarship

Oakland

· Theresa Cruciata - William M. Orr Endowed Scholarship

· Hailey Questel - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Renee Zoppi - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

· Kevin Antonio - Michael Orlando Scholarship

Oradell

· Joey Ribaudo - Dr. Richard Ciccone Endowed Scholarship

Orange

· Priscilla Henaku - LEO Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Palisades Park

· Heesup Kimm - Bryce B & Edna Lee Endowed Scholarship

· Joonghae Lee - Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship

· Joel Riofrio - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Omer Kilie - Securing Our Future Endowed Scholarship

· Kevin Kim - Helene Molstad Endowed Scholarship

Paramus

· Sungyoon Kim - Samowitz Foundation Endowed Scholarship

· Tina Taghavi - Louis Girshon Memorial Endowed Scholarship

· Sukritta Sakonrit - Moses Family Endowed Scholarship

Photo Caption: Some of the 237 students who received scholarships from the Bergen Community College Foundation for the fall semester.