Congratulations Scholars and Young Scholars!

Ninety-six percent of the 113 Scholars and Young Scholars graduates were placed into selective middle or high schools. This fall, enrolling students will receive more than $4.3 million from our partner institutions.

Alumna Millenah Nascimento (Scholars Program ’13, Madeira School ’17, Dartmouth College ’21) welcomed SEEDS alumna and Trustee Taffi Ayodele (Scholars Program ’96, Newark Academy ’00, New York University ’04, New York University ‘13) as the morning’s keynote speaker. Guests also heard from student speakers Francine Diaz (Scholars Program ‘17, St. James School ‘21) and Roy Escobar (Young Scholars Program ’17, Stevens Cooperative School ‘19).

Several students were honored with special awards during the commencement ceremony for their accomplishments over the past year: 

• Yara Attia (Phillips Academy – Andover ’21) was the recipient of this year’s Dean’s Award for her overall achievement, strong leadership, citizenship, exceptional academic qualities and positive personality while enrolled in the Scholars Program.
• Natalie Cangas (Concord Academy ’21) was named the Dwight L. Wilson Scholar for her personal and work ethics, honesty, integrity, and love of education while enrolled in the New Jersey SEEDS Scholars Program.
• Orion Douglas (Cambridge School of Weston ’21) and Quiana Rodriguez (Chatham Hall School ’21) were the recipients of The Angela Shankar Foundation Awards, which are presented to students with a strong community focus.
• Roy Escobar (Stevens Cooperative School ’19) was named the Alumni Scholar for representing the ideal SEEDS student.
• Zion Hobbs (Morristown-Beard School ’21) was named the Robert Greifeld Scholar for his resiliency and strong dedication to his education.
• Bryan Jimenez (Phillips Academy – Andover ‘21) was named the Blair MacInnes Scholar for his outstanding academic achievement and dedication to education while enrolled in the New Jersey SEEDS Scholars Program.
• Isadora Martinez (Newark Academy ’24) was named the Edward & Barbara Becker Scholar for her outstanding academic achievement and exemplary work while in the Young Scholars Program.
• Daniela Rodriguez (Stony Brook School ’21) was named the Miguel Brito Scholar for her generosity, spirit of high ethical standards, dedication to her education and willingness to help others learn.
• Norbal Vazquez, Jr. (St. Mark’s School ’21) was named the Piantino Family Scholar for his strong community focus and plans to bring opportunities back to his neighborhood.
• Wilona Wiafe (Deerfield Academy ’21) was named the Amy Ziebarth Scholar for her passion for social justice and strong commitment to SEEDS.

Click here for a complete list of graduates. Congratulations to all Scholars and Young Scholars in the Class of 2017 on their accomplishments!