“IF WE ARE TO ENSURE ECONOMIC VITALITY, WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER TO PRODUCE THE BEST EDUCATED CITIZENS”
Lowell Hawthorne
Founder
Mavis & Ephraim Hawthorne Golden Krust Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Each recipient has the opportunity to receive $4,000 paid over four years. We are planting seeds for our communities and the nation as our scholarship recipients flourish and continue the cycle of promulgating the cardinal importance of social responsibilities.
GEORGE NUNEZ
Scholarship Recipient 2018
College: Binghamton University
Major: Finance
I am George Nunez, a current senior majoring in finance at Binghamton University, and I’m originally from the South Bronx. Growing up I was either homeless, lived in a shelter, or lived in an impoverished community where violence and police brutality is pervasive. I did not believe graduating from high school and college was feasible because of the lack of resources and support. I could recollect when I thought to myself I would not live past 21 years of age because my life would be taken away by a stray bullet. Sure enough, the moment that changed my life was when I shot in my leg at the age of 14. At this point, I knew education was my ticket out of violence. Hence, I was graduated high school with Salutatorian honors, and I am on my way to completing my bachelor’s degree. During my sophomore year, I completed an operations internship at JP Morgan Chase where I learned how to mitigate the risk of terrorist financing and money laundering. In my Junior year, I completed an investment banking internship at Nomura Securities, where I learned how to value healthcare companies and contract research organizations and why private equity firms wanted to buy out these companies. In addition, I am currently studying abroad at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. I found out about the scholarship through my older brother (Patrick Alvarez), because he was a scholarship recipient back in 2012. The scholarship has helped him tremendously, and I thought that I could benefit from the scholarship as well. He could afford Syracuse University and pay for book expenses. When I received the scholarship, it enabled me to pay for books, and all the school supplies I needed for college. If it was not for Golden Krust, I would have never thought that college would be possible. I have realized that I can excel and persevere through the adversity of college. Thank you Golden Krust for all the help and support that you all have provided me with throughout the years.
TIFFANY CHANDLER
Scholarship Recipient 2018
College: Fordham University
Major: Law and Psychology
I would like to thank you and the Mavis & Ephraim Hawthorne Golden Krust Foundation for selecting me to receive this year’s scholarship. The awards ceremony is one I will always remember because of the pride I felt of having the Jamaican culture a part of my heritage. I sincerely want to thank you for investing in my future and with your help, I am off to a great start. As I embark on my college education at Fordham University, I do so knowing that I have your support. Thank you for all yo do in the community here and abroad in securing a bright tomorrow.
ADAM FANE
Scholarship Recipient 2018
College: John Jay College
Major: Political Science & Economics
I was born and raised in the Ivory Coast of West Africa until the age of 17, when I left my biological family and migrated to the United States in the summer of 2014. Since 2016, I have been volunteering as a staff member at the office of the Assemblyman Michael Blake, as a senior intern, where I help constituencies with their social and economic issues. I have also served as a member of the NYC Urban Ambassador Leadership Program, which is geared towards helping young men become positive role models by increasing their attitude and emotional well-being towards academic and college success. During the last few years, I had the opportunity to speak at the United Nations youth assembly for the Conference of Paris (COP 21) about global warming legislation. Besides that, during my senior year, I was given the opportunity to lecture at the University of Pennsylvania about health care disparities, and I conducted and presented research regarding the education inequity existent in the different marginalized communities of New York City. I first heard about the Golden Krust scholarship through my high school counselor, Lyann Arias, and Assistant Principal, Megan Williams. After conducting background research on the scholarship, I realized that I fulfilled the requirements and possessed most of the materials for submission, but I still hesitated to apply because of the competitiveness of the scholarship process. I was encouraged by my teachers and mentors to apply, but it still took me a few weeks to finally decide to submit my application. The day that I received the phone call regarding my application outcome was one of the happiest day of my life. I cried when I heard that I was selected for the scholarship because I needed the financial support to pay for books, a computer, and Metro Cards as I do not qualify for NYS financial aid. Thanks to the good people responsible for the Golden Krust scholarship, I will not have to worry anymore about preparing for and arriving to classes and doing my assignments on time. In short, the Golden Krust scholarship saved me much financial stress and anguish. In the summer of 2017, I graduated from Bronx international high school as part of the top 1% of my class. I am currently a freshman at John Jay College, majoring in Political Science and Economics. In my free time, I do not only enjoy community services, but I also enjoy reading, poetry, nonfiction books, bicycling, writing, and conducting social science research. The Golden Krust scholarship represented a priceless opportunity to an underdog like me. I have had to fight for every second of my education and embrace every challenge throughout my academic journey. The Golden Krust Scholarship Foundation did not only give me hope, but it also showed me that I can succeed if I continue to work hard toward achieving my dreams.
