Scholastic Stars
Six NYCHA residents were recently awarded Cannon Heyman & Weiss (CHW) Scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 to help them pursue their higher education goals. CHW, a law firm that specializes in affordable housing and community development, created the scholarship fund in 2013 and has so far bestowed $72,250 in scholarships to students living in affordable rental housing developments across New York State, including NYCHA public housing residents and Section 8 voucher recipients.
Six NYCHA Residents Win Academic Scholarships
Six NYCHA residents were recently awarded Cannon Heyman & Weiss (CHW) Scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 to help them pursue their higher education goals. CHW, a law firm that specializes in affordable housing and community development, created the scholarship fund in 2013 and has so far bestowed $72,250 in scholarships to students living in affordable rental housing developments across New York State, including NYCHA public housing residents and Section 8 voucher recipients.
First-place awardee Francisco Rodriguez, an 18-year-old resident of Drew-Hamilton Houses, is entering his first year at Boston College, where he plans to study math and economics. “College has always been a goal of mine,” he said. “But financially, it was a problem. This scholarship is helping my family, and it’s making my education goals possible.”
Ilham Moumou, a 20-year-old resident of Queensbridge Houses, is using her award to help pay for her tuition and textbooks at Cornell University, where she just finished her second year. “I would like to thank CHW for providing students like me the opportunity to receive this funding,” she said. “It’s already difficult enough to grow up economically disadvantaged, so funds like these really allow us to strive to reach for the best. College is expensive, but I believe that money should never cause a detour in one’s educational pursuits.”
“Don’t let money stop you from pursuing your dreams. If you have a goal, push for it. With research, hard work, and patience, everything will align.”
– Ilham Moumou
Ms. Moumou is studying business with a concentration in entrepreneurship and is interning at the Hot 97 radio station this summer. She plans on graduating from college a year early and then starting a career in the music industry. Her words of advice for her peers: “Don’t let money stop you from pursuing your dreams. If you have a goal, push for it. With research, hard work, and patience, everything will align.”
Jacqueline Martinez, a 21-year-old resident of Morris Houses, will apply her scholarship to fund her civil engineering studies at Syracuse University, where she just wrapped up her third year. After getting her bachelor’s degree, she intends to get a master’s degree. “I am interested in transportation and want to ensure that the public can be safe as they travel to wherever they desire.”
McKinley Houses resident Adriana Toribio, age 17, is grateful that she can cover the gap in her tuition at Utica College with the scholarship. She plans to study criminal justice and wants to go to law school.
Residents interested in applying for next year’s scholarships should stay tuned to CHW’s website at www.chwattys.com/about. Applicants must submit an essay and two letters of recommendation and may also include an academic transcript. Scholarships can be used for full- or part-time study at approved colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and other post-high school institutions that confer a degree, diploma, or certificate.