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Scholarship Award Winners

∞ TALENTUNLIMITED HIGH SCHOOL

October 17, 2023

To whom it may concern,

I have had the pleasure of teaching Aaliyah Hunter as a dance major at Talent Unlimited High School from 2020-2023. In her studies at Talent Unlimited, Aaliyah takes 3 periods of dance per day in addition to a full academic load. The journey of a training dancer is an intense one and requires much sacrifice. Young students actively pursuing dance have the ongoing challenge of balancing schoolwork, dance, and a social life, as well as pushing through frequent physical exhaustion, and at times injuries. As an exceptionally talented student, Aaliyah was featured as a soloist in every concert at Talent Unlimited, and was noted and recognized as one of the strongest members of the department by faculty and guest artists alike.

Aaliyah has truly gone above and beyond during her time at Talent Unlimited. She has contributed choreography to our Black History student showcase annually, performed in almost every student assembly, volunteered at our auditions and Open House events, and completed an internship as a teaching assistant at a dance studio in the Bronx during her sophomore year. In her junior year, she studied at the prestigious Ailey School, taking advanced classes in a variety of genres every day after school. In her senior year, she is assisting me with a community dance program in the Bronx as a volunteer. Last summer, she was accepted into Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts, a rigorous training program, where she worked with many reputable choreographers. Aaliyah is also a very strong student academically, holding a high GPA in all of her classes and taking several AP courses.

As an artist, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Aaliyah is the most talented

student I have worked with my entire career. She excels in all genres of dance, seamlessly

segueing from ballet to Graham technique to African to hip-hop. She is an advanced and

sophisticated choreographer, and manages to direct her peers with a high level of demand

and precision, yet also with a friendly rapport. The only critique I can point out is that

Aaliyah is an extreme perfectionist, but this perfectionism is indicative of the depth of her

passion for her work.

Aaliyah is interested in both professional dance and the education field, and I

believe she would be highly successful in both paths. She is a student we can rely on in any

situation and a student who always gives 100%. It's truly been a joy to know her and I am

ecstatic with anticipation to see her career unfold. I believe any institution working with

her will be overjoyed as well. I recommend her highly without reservation.

EAST BRUNSWICK MAGNET SCHOOL

To SCAD Admissions,

Laila Doe has been a Graphic Design/Communication Art and Illustration student in my class for the past 3 1/2 years. She is a hard working, dedicated student. She consistently hands in work on time, or early. She always asks for feedback and follows through with any corrections that will help make her work stronger. Laila also speaks up and contributes during group critiques, which is not easy for a high school student.

Her class projects have included designing posters, brochures, info-graphics, package designs, magazines, advertisements, newsletters and e-zines for class. Laila has become proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and is very willing to learn new software as well as new skills. She took a college course this summer and came back to class with more advanced Photoshop skills.

This year she has joined the Yearbook Club and has been taking pictures around the school as well as laying out a few pages.

I believe that Laila will work hard at your school. With her willingness to learn and better herself, I think that she will rise to any challenge and project handed to her.

If you have any questions regarding Laila's qualifications, you can contact me at sobolewskij@mcmsnj.net

Sincerely,

Jamie Sobolewski

Teacher of Graphic Design/Communication Arts

East Brunswick Magnet School

Middlesex County Magnet Schools

HOLY TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to recommend Andrew Webb for scholarship consideration. Andrew is a quiet, pleasant, motivated young man with a consistent performance. He would be an asset to any college community.

Andrew has pursued a strong college prep curriculum and will graduate with a New York State Regents Diploma in May, 2024. His selection of classes reflects a desire to learn beyond the bare minimum. Andrew is a three-year member of our school's Advanced Concert Band as a clarinetist. He is to be commended for his consistent application to his work and his excellent classroom demeanor. He has been on the Academic Honor Roll many times.

Outside the classroom, Andrew helps neighbors and family members with pet care, and has volunteered in a local program called "Embody" sponsored by a Black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. He has excellent character and attendance records, as well.

On a personal note, Andrew Webb is a pleasant, well-mannered young man, who possesses a great sense of calm. He seems to have many friends and is a great listener. As his guidance counselor, I find Andrew to be very accepting of constructive advice. He seeks assistance when needed, and there is not

a hint of arrogance or conceit in this fine young man. Andrew is the person who calms things down when there is any hint of tension. A natural peacemaker, he is grateful for his family's sacrifices in sending him to Holy Trinity High School. Academically, Andrew does not test well, but is clearly intelligent and well-spoken. He's a "late bloomer" who possesses the character and personality traits of a successful adult.

I strongly recommend Andrew Webb for scholarship consideration, with the expectation that he will bring his academic preparation and character strengths to his college community. His college acceptance will be mutually beneficial.

Sincerely,

Regina H. Kilkenny

Guidance Counselor

ACCREDITED BY

AdvancED, NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL EXEMPLARY SCHOOL AWARD

TUXEDO UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Jeffrey T. White Superintendent of Schools

October 3, 2023

To Whom It May Concern:

Sean Essoka is an excellent student, truly a counselor's delight-self-motivated, intelligent, conscientious, honest, and sincere. Even more important, Sean is a wonderful human being-kind, compassionate, and sensitive to the needs of others Because we are a small school, I have had the pleasure of watching Sean blossom into the delightful, personable young man he is today.

Sean has never retreated from an academic challenge and during his junior year, he was recommended to AP Biology and A Psychology where he developed his skills and enrolled this year in Clinical Psychology. His love of learning goes beyond the inside of the classroom. What I love best about Sean is his nature. He is soft spoken and genuine.

I would recommend Sean without reservation; he will bring a strong academic drive and determination to your school community. Please give this talented, dynamic, bright young man your most generous evaluation of his credentials. He brings so much positivity with him and will be a substantial contributant to the quality of campus life. He, more than most, has outgrown what we can do for him here, and is more than ready to move on to the world at large. I would go so far to say that any college or university that Sean attends will only benefit from the association.

Sincerely,

Clea

Christine Oliva

School Counselor for Sean Essoka

RIVERDALE COUNTRY SCHOOL

RECOMMENDATION FOR MARLEY WATTS

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Marley Watts as a candidate for the Nathan D Allsbrooks Foundation Scholarship. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Marley for 3 years and 6 months, as her Dean, and I can firmly state that Marley is a competent, dynamic and enthusiastic student who takes learning seriously. She is engaged in and out of class, and her interests vary from academics such as Mathematics, Biology, Spanish, American History and Drama. She is a talented artist and an excellent student.

Marley assimilates to her environment well, though she also recognizes the importance of asking questions and leaning into the unknown. She has a positive outlook on her classes. One can speak to Marley candidly and honestly about her strengths and challenges, be them academically, or relating to personal maturity, and she listens. She wants to improve and she wants you, as her teacher, to know that she wants to be better. Marley is reliable and she is trustworthy. She cares about others, and she makes an effort to remain engaged in our school community and beyond. She is thoughtful, introspective and reflective. Kindness is of paramount importance to her. Marley is recognized for her enthusiasm and effort as well as her academic intelligence and her ability to be reflective. She values her work and her school and personal relationships tremendously. Personal independence and accountability to others, and for others, are important goals for Marley. She is a persistent student who yearns to succeed, and she has a tremendously positive energy which pushes her to be a better student and a better individual.

Lastly, Marley cares about the school environment, and she cares about her peers and her teachers. She has an attentive disposition, she is prudent and respectful. and she is acquiring self-confidence steadily this school year. As her Dean, it is wonderful to experience this journey with her. She is an amazing person and an amazing student and it has been absolutely joyful to know her. Please contact me if you need further information at 718-519-2771.

Thank you,

John C. Hager

Dean of Students, Class of 2024

Language Department