HESUS Fund

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Faith Gibbs

Growing up, I knew that to get myself anywhere in life meant I had to put myself out there. I began doing theatre in elementary school, but later, when my high school didn’t offer any performing arts electives, I enrolled in a theatre intensive at Harlem School of the Arts and I finally realized that this is what I wanted to do with my life.

My 10th-grade English teacher recruited a few students to participate in a volunteer workshop at Lafayette Ave Presbyterian Church where I learned improv and did theater engagement with senior citizens. We worked with them to create a show performed for the community. It felt so nice to showcase what I love and organize within our community. Later that year, I applied for Brooklyn STEAM’s film and media program. I honestly thought this program would involve acting, but it ended up teaching the technical side of photography, cinematography, audio editing and so much more. For one project, we had to write a script for a podcast and I got to apply my playwriting skills to something new.

Today, I’m a second-year Performing Arts Theatre major at Hampton University and the change I have seen within myself in just two years makes me proud. During the first semester of my freshman year, I had a hard time finding a sense of community. But by second semester, I started to see myself blossom. I starred in two different plays and felt like I was taking a big step in my growth. Putting myself on the stage and being vulnerable with my peers has taught me so much. Theater allows me to step out of my shell while remaining true to myself.

In the future, I want to open up a community theater where I can provide experiences to those who lack access to the arts in their schools or community. If I were to receive the HESUS Fund scholarship, not only would I be able to help my parents with purchasing textbooks, but I would also increase my involvement on campus because a lot of the school organizations have high enrollment fees. I would be able to fully commit to my leadership roles within these organizations, as well as build community with the various people at my school.

Roberta Gikunoo

I believe that one of the most important common traits people could have is the openness to experience new things. In my life, I had not lived up to that, but I changed my perspective once I came to the United States. I always say this when I’m asked to describe myself: “Roberta Gikunoo is my name, I am 17 years of age and I’m from the western part of Africa, Ghana, specifically Accra. I love to draw, swim, bike and run as my hobbies. I learned to bike and swim during my junior year while I became a member of Trilatino Juniors program. This program helped me to believe more in myself and know that I can achieve my goals with hard work and dedication.

My siblings and dad claim that I am stingy with money but I do not believe that. I believe in spending the money I earn wisely and on important things that help to build my future. While the money given to me by my family I use to get food. I recently graduated from Bronx Lab School with my high school diploma. I was the Salutatorian. I came to this country in 2019 and high school was very hard for me. But I have a strong desire to get into college and learn all I can. I know succeeding in college comes with a lot of responsibilities and expenses, but I promise that I will work hard to achieve my goals. This is where the help from this scholarship comes in. I would use the money to add to the financial assistance I get from the state. This would relieve some of the expenses off my dad as my sister will be beginning college next year as well. If I get the scholarship offers, I would be very happy and grateful to whoever introduced me to the scholarship. I plan to spend the money wisely.

I have many goals I want to accomplish. They include going to college for four years while majoring in Architecture. I am drawn to architecture because of my interest in design, aesthetics, and the built environment. I have a passion for art, history, and cultural studies, and am interested in exploring how these disciplines intersect with architecture. I am interested in the technical aspects of building and construction and enjoy the challenge of working with complex systems and materials like building planning and programming. My plan is to study hard to reach the top of my class. In order to accomplish that I know I have to use my time wisely, being on track with my assignments and/or homework while studying and participating in class. I also would like to find part time work while going to college to help support my family and myself.

Candace Howe

My name is Candace Howe and I am a senior at Neptune High School located in Neptune, New Jersey. At an early age I became acutely aware of many inequalities that plague my community. I recognized that access to great education coupled with hard work, leads to opportunities. In order to paint an example of that truth, I have exemplified and pursued the highest ideals of academia, extracurriculars and community service. With that said, I have earned the title of valedictorian of my class and can proudly say that I will be attending Harvard University in the Fall of 2023.

In pursuing my dream of becoming an attorney, I aspire to be the best version of myself so I can give a voice to the voiceless and in doing so make a difference in my community. As a first-generation Caribbean American, my parents' sacrifices taught me to always make the best of what I have, and at the same time strive for what may seem impossible. I am hardworking, dedicated and ambitious which I have demonstrated in my high school tenure. Four years running, I have been president of my Class, vice president of National Honor Society, Drama Club and Central Jersey Youth Club.

I have volunteered as a student director for summer music programs and tutored students in various subjects as well as helped my peers better navigate the college application process. I have helped local churches serve food to those in need, helped serve Christmas breakfasts’ and helped distribute during toy giveaways to local families. I understand advocacy as demonstrated in my success in getting AP Government on the class schedule my senior year. Taking it a step further, I sought out an internship with Daniels & Davis-Daniels Esqs. which helped solidify my dream to be an attorney. In addition to my internship, I have participated in the National Student Leadership Conference for Law & Advocacy at Yale University where I participated in a 9 day mock trial program. It was this invaluable experience that made me realize that gaining more knowledge would help eradicate some of the gaps I experienced throughout my high school tenure.

I am excited for college and the experiences I will gain to further increase my love for serving the community. I will pursue a degree in cognitive science with a minor in psychology. By opening doors and walking through them, I plan on keeping them open for others to follow, thus leaving the world better than I found it.

Lack of resources has often been the stumbling block for people of color and I do not want to be a statistic confirming that truth. The HESUS Fund scholarship will help me pursue a greater education at Harvard University which helps me cement my financial responsibility, confirming that hard work does pay off. More importantly, I am in full agreement with the HESUS Fund ideals that educational opportunities at an early age are fundamental to my professional success.

Lisbeth Campos

Growing up struggling with family relationships while looking after 8 and 9 siblings, receiving no education, and working since birth, my parents knew they wanted better for me and my siblings. As the firstborn and oldest child, my parents and I faced many first struggles as a family, the most significant being financial instability and barriers as English as second language learners, to which we gave our all so I wouldn’t fall behind in my education.

From an early age, I listened very carefully to my English-speaking classmates and teachers. Later, I would pronounce words myself until I slowly picked up the language. As a young student, I struggled with math, but my dad helped me as much as possible. At a young age, through my homework packets, my parents and I tried to understand and practice English. This learning journey was a family affair.

I had a rocky start, but the sacrifices my parents made, especially after my three sisters were born, motivated me to always try at school and never give up, no matter how hard it became. It hasn’t been easy to get to this moment in my life where I’m going into my Sophomore year in college at Stockton University as a Literature major; my hard work has paid off.

In my 7th and 8th-grade years, I was in a program called AVID. Not only did I meet and make great friends, but AVID also helped me advance my grades and involvement in community service with Lunchbreak in my hometown, which I truly enjoyed. My involvement in AVID paid off when I was accepted into Voyagers’ Community School with a full scholarship for my high school years.

Voyagers’ was far different from the academic environment I was accustomed to, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way because it prepared me for college. My journey in Voyagers’ Campos 2 helped me realize how much I truly love learning new things, from mastering Sign Language for two years, which enabled me to communicate with an uncle, to familiarizing myself with technology by working on the yearbook committee during my high school years, to giving various presentations to large audiences during Project Weeks.

Today, I’m a Literature major because, from a very young age, I’ve been passionate about reading and writing. In the future, I will be surrounded by books as a Literary Agent and work with one of many publishing houses. Also, I am confident I will write my own book and several more. To this day my parents have been my biggest supporters, and their support encourages me to never give up. I will craft a great future for myself, striving to become a role model for my parents and sisters by completing my education and accomplishing all I aspire to be.

Melody Membreno

When I was younger, I had the confidence of Icarus, being given his shiny new wings. Imagine me with my drawing pencil, lucky cow eraser, and strapped velcro shoes (I could not yet tie my shoelaces)–I thought I could conquer the world. That bravado was lost over time, but I find myself thinking of that little girl, the one who was bold enough to draw directly on her wall with a Sharpie or attempt to leap across the running river in her rural backyard. Even now, ten years later, I find myself idolizing her confidence.

While most of that dauntlessness was lost with age and certain hardships (dare I mention the time I had lice for nearly five months?), I think not only have I been gaining it back, but I can finally see my future forming before me. In my eighth grade year of middle school, I explicitly remember thinking of turning eighteen and, every year after, being blank white. I thought to myself, I'll surely die before then, right?

Here I am at nineteen, still standing, and with much to do in life. I attend a school that I'm happy to attend, and I feel like I have many possibilities for where I'll end up. I have many skills in my toolbelt, with more to come as I continue my education, hopefully with some financial assistance.

My major, Plant Science Horticulture, came to me sooner than others in my year. I grew up in a decently forested area and played in the woods. My interest didn't fully blossom until I was in middle school when my family friend introduced me to her garden. It was a large and magical place; moonflowers were vining up her wall, with a sprouting archway to her koi pond. There was also a fire pit, where a thirteen-year-old me would watch the embers rise to the sky. Her garden was many things to me. It was an educational experience as she told me the scientific names of the growing flowers. It was also a bonding experience as I sat with my family, friends, and brother toasting marshmallows.

Most of all, the garden was the safe space I didn't find at home. In the garden, I found a passion for plants and other living things, both small and large. In their house, my brother and I made cookies, mine square, while my brother's gerrymander-shaped. There I was cared for when I was sick.

In my opinion, what makes a happy and confident person is support. I want to pursue plants for many reasons, but one is to foster a nurturing environment. I feel sure enough to talk with people now, and I believe I can educate people about the plants. I'd love to work in a botanical garden and create places that feel magical. I also want to help in community and project building. I want to open community and native plant gardens.

I want to use my art to inspire others. Being an artist gives me an eye for detail and creativity, vital for giving back to the world around me. Even if I don't get to do any community work in my day job, I would like to be a source of good in the world. Maybe I'll do volunteer work or simply be a friendly presence to my neighbors. For the 2023 school year, I will be introducing freshmen to the school as a Peer Engagement Guide. I hope to be a source of stability and support for incoming students.

Besides giving to the world, I also have personal goals for myself. I used to only see myself as worth something if I gave to other people, mainly in the form of good grades. I now realize the importance of giving to myself and nurturing skills that I'd like to extend. I have much more to learn about art; I don't think I'll ever stop learning. I want to become a better guitarist and maybe learn how to be a better vocalist. I continued this goal by joining my school’s jazz band.

As a side project, I'd like to start a comic or maybe an animated series. These goals are especially ambitious, but I've already worked towards one in the form of a short comic I plan to submit to the Academic Festival next year. For the Academic Festival, I am proud to say, I had the confidence to submit a cover design, which was used, and currently hangs on my wall.

I work on all of these goals slowly. The little Sharpie-wielding Icarus of the past has lost her wings, but with time I find myself more and more confident and willing to take risks in pursuit of improving myself. I want to be the person my nine-year-old self would like to hang out with. I want to be the type of person my fourteen-year-old self would have been proud to be. My future feels daunting sometimes–I have a lot I want to accomplish. But the fact that I see a future in front of me is exciting. I want to relish every opportunity I'm given. I'll make the most of my time, and, by the power vested in nine-year-old me, I'll do it confidently.