November 6, 2005
PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION FOR HISPANIC AFFAIRS, INC.
SETS UP FOUR SCHOLARSHIPS AT INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Puerto Rican Association for Hispanic Affairs, Inc. is proud to announce the
establishment of four new scholarships at I.R.C.C. The funds generated from
the successful San Juan Festival and Business Expo held on June 2005,
helped fulfill the organization’s mission and goals of furthering the education of
disadvantaged Hispanic students in our community. For the 2005-06 school
year, Damaris Soto became the first recipient of the Maria A. Roldan Memorial
Nursing Scholarship.
“We are excited that this organization, P.R.A.F.H.A., has demonstrated their
commitment to education. We look forward to jointly making a difference in the
lives of our students”, said Margot Barker, Development Specialist in the
Foundation Department of I.R.C.C. The four scholarships for the 2006-07 school
year are: Maria A. Roldan Memorial (Renewal) for Health Sciences; Elmer Bravo
Memorial for Health Sciences; Hilda Santiago Memorial for Fine Arts; and Carl V.
Burke Memorial for Education.
The Maria A. Roldan Memorial Scholarship is named after Robert Roldan’s
mother. He is the President of P.R.A.F.H.A. Her struggle and dedication as a
single mother who endured many medical problems, such as diabetes, and
arthritis, proved to be an inspiration to her three young sons growing up in the
Bronx, New York.
The Elmer Bravo Memorial Scholarship was named after Oscar Bravo’s brother.
Oscar is a Director of P.R.A.F.H.A. Elmer demonstrated his interest in science,
doing medical research projects with animals. Elmer died in 1991 of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, also known as Madcow Disease. This disease is a
rare degenerative invariably fatal brain disorder. There is no treatment that can
cure or control CJD. Oscar is hoping that the person selected for this
scholarship has the vision and dedication to further their studies into research.
“Maybe they can find a cure of this rare disease that took my brother’s life”,
commented Oscar.
Margie Rivera, secretary of P.R.A.F.H.A., wanted to recognize the meaning her
mother, Hilda Santiago gave her life. Her mother’s life was cut short by ovarian
cancer at age 58. She was known as a friend, mother, wife, confidant and
teacher. Margie remembers she would say: “Always stand up for what you
believe and never give up the good fight but know when the battle has been lost
and retreat”. Whether it be cooking, dancing, painting, decorating, she managed
to make it her signature piece”, recalls Margie. With this in mind, her
scholarship is in the field of Fine Arts.
Tragedy changed Jacquelene Burke’s life forever nearly 14 years ago. As Vice
President of P.R.A.F.H.A., she feels honored to name the next scholarship after
her father Carl V. Burke, Sr. and her brother Carl V. Burke, Jr. Both were killed in
an auto accident in New Jersey. “They both imparted to me love, joy, and
laughter. When anyone needed encouragement and a joke to make them feel
better, friends and family would turn to them”, says Jacquelene. Her father
always extolled the virtue of education. It was because of this inspiration, she
found the courage to finish her studies in Business Management after their
death in 1991. The scholarship will be a student who pursues a career in
education.
Inspiration can be found in the lives and dedication of loved ones. For P.R.A.F.H.
A., these scholarships are a testimony to the impact they have felt and to the
future of the community.
PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION FOR HISPANIC AFFAIRS, INC.
SETS UP FOUR SCHOLARSHIPS AT INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Puerto Rican Association for Hispanic Affairs, Inc. is proud to announce the
establishment of four new scholarships at I.R.C.C. The funds generated from
the successful San Juan Festival and Business Expo held on June 2005,
helped fulfill the organization’s mission and goals of furthering the education of
disadvantaged Hispanic students in our community. For the 2005-06 school
year, Damaris Soto became the first recipient of the Maria A. Roldan Memorial
Nursing Scholarship.
“We are excited that this organization, P.R.A.F.H.A., has demonstrated their
commitment to education. We look forward to jointly making a difference in the
lives of our students”, said Margot Barker, Development Specialist in the
Foundation Department of I.R.C.C. The four scholarships for the 2006-07 school
year are: Maria A. Roldan Memorial (Renewal) for Health Sciences; Elmer Bravo
Memorial for Health Sciences; Hilda Santiago Memorial for Fine Arts; and Carl V.
Burke Memorial for Education.
The Maria A. Roldan Memorial Scholarship is named after Robert Roldan’s
mother. He is the President of P.R.A.F.H.A. Her struggle and dedication as a
single mother who endured many medical problems, such as diabetes, and
arthritis, proved to be an inspiration to her three young sons growing up in the
Bronx, New York.
The Elmer Bravo Memorial Scholarship was named after Oscar Bravo’s brother.
Oscar is a Director of P.R.A.F.H.A. Elmer demonstrated his interest in science,
doing medical research projects with animals. Elmer died in 1991 of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, also known as Madcow Disease. This disease is a
rare degenerative invariably fatal brain disorder. There is no treatment that can
cure or control CJD. Oscar is hoping that the person selected for this
scholarship has the vision and dedication to further their studies into research.
“Maybe they can find a cure of this rare disease that took my brother’s life”,
commented Oscar.
Margie Rivera, secretary of P.R.A.F.H.A., wanted to recognize the meaning her
mother, Hilda Santiago gave her life. Her mother’s life was cut short by ovarian
cancer at age 58. She was known as a friend, mother, wife, confidant and
teacher. Margie remembers she would say: “Always stand up for what you
believe and never give up the good fight but know when the battle has been lost
and retreat”. Whether it be cooking, dancing, painting, decorating, she managed
to make it her signature piece”, recalls Margie. With this in mind, her
scholarship is in the field of Fine Arts.
Tragedy changed Jacquelene Burke’s life forever nearly 14 years ago. As Vice
President of P.R.A.F.H.A., she feels honored to name the next scholarship after
her father Carl V. Burke, Sr. and her brother Carl V. Burke, Jr. Both were killed in
an auto accident in New Jersey. “They both imparted to me love, joy, and
laughter. When anyone needed encouragement and a joke to make them feel
better, friends and family would turn to them”, says Jacquelene. Her father
always extolled the virtue of education. It was because of this inspiration, she
found the courage to finish her studies in Business Management after their
death in 1991. The scholarship will be a student who pursues a career in
education.
Inspiration can be found in the lives and dedication of loved ones. For P.R.A.F.H.
A., these scholarships are a testimony to the impact they have felt and to the
future of the community.
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