HESUS Fund

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Angela vasquez

“A Hopeful Dream”

“What's that mark on your arm?” My first instinct was to lie. Telling the truth meant revealing the truth: I hated being with my mother. The time I spent with her left me with bruises and lots of negativity. This happened very frequently. My life had lots of tension at home living with my mother and taking responsibility for my sister. To take my mind off of things, I participated in school activities and tried to contribute to my school. This made me happy and gave me great connections. I was part of a program called SAB which was a student advisory board. I was able to make decisions, create events, and help make student wishes come true. I also joined Big Brothers Big Sisters which gave me opportunities outside of school to meet members of paramount and understand adult life experiences which also prepared me for my college life. Lastly, I found comfort in making art. I would stay after school and draw passionate pieces which were able to be presented in gallery walks.

Although these activities took things off my mind, I still dreaded coming back home every day, making me want to find a healthy solution to the abusive challenge I had at home.

On January 25th of 2023 my life changed. I wanted the normal life of a teenager. I was so tired of being treated so poorly to the point where I spoke out. I packed my bags and called my father, leading to me living with him.

When this happened, I made a huge comeback in my academics leading to me passing my regents and being recommended for AP classes. I was able to take the AP classes I wanted and exceeded in my senior year. I has a lot of progress in my senior year by ending it off with the GPA I wanted.

Not a lot of people know what I’ve been through but I take what I’ve been through as a lesson. I’ve learned to love myself and look forward to achieving what I want. Even though dark clouds can potentially last for years, I have learned that there are rainbows behind dark clouds, and all it takes is work and time to be the become a version of myself. I have also learned resilience. I work hard and focus on my studies because I have a dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. I'm going to LaGuardia Community College to major in nursing. In 2 years, I plan to transfer to Hunter College through LaGuardia’s Articulation Agreement, where I would continue my academic journey majoring in nursing to become a nurse practitioner. I do not want anyone to go through what I’ve been through, but maybe, like my counselors, my experienced eyes will spot someone that I am able to help - emotionally and physically.

I will be equipped to handle it.

Safiya hannibal

My name is Safiya Hannibal, and I am a rising junior at Cornell University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Sustainability alongside a minor in Education. My goal is to forge a career path that seamlessly connects my passion for science with my commitment to education, and I am excited to share how the Hesus Fund Scholarship can bring me closer to these targets.

For my entire high school career, the specifics of my future career were uncertain. However, in my senior year I enrolled in a college course called, “Environmental Health Issues” at CUNY Medgar Evers College. The course delved into the myriad of environmental challenges confronting communities nationwide, from water pollution to air quality issues. And as the daughter of Caribbean immigrants, who’s families’ livelihoods were once dependent on their environment by way of farming, it is my duty to honor my heritage by protecting the environment. These eye-opening discussions stirred within me a desire to pursue studies in environmental science and sustainability at the undergraduate level, with the hope of advocating solutions to these pressing issues.

Now, as a rising junior at Cornell, I have had the opportunity to not only learn about the many mechanisms that affect our current environmental landscape, but I also teach others about the natural world! This past semester, I served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the biology course "Ecology and the Environment," in which students learn about a breadth of ecological principles focused from the organismal level all the way up to the biosphere. Through this experience, I have come to recognize that my true calling lies in fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding for science through accessible educational initiatives.

Outside of academics, I love dancing, reading, and plant care. On campus, I am involved in Cornell’s only Korean Pop Dance team and have performed for numerous student-organized events throughout the year. This coming academic year, I am also interested in volunteering with the Cornell Einhorn Center for community-engagement, in programs such as student-teaching or mentorship.

Looking ahead, I envision the next decade of my journey to include graduating from my undergraduate program at Cornell and beginning my master’s program in Education. I am drawn to Harvard University’s “Teaching and Teaching Leadership Program”, where students earn a master’s in education while also making a direct connection with students of color in the surrounding area. Possessing both a bachelors and a masters’, I can consider a greater array of career opportunities. Following that, I am interested in working at an institution that is dedicated to clear and accessible science communication like the United Nations or the American Museum of Natural History.

As for right now, the Hesus Fund Scholarship would serve as a useful resource in supporting my involvement in career-focused student groups like the Kappa Chapter of Epsilon Eta, the professional sustainability fraternity. By engaging with professionals in the field, I am confident that I can streamline my career interest to maximize my impact on both my community and the world at large!

Thank you for your consideration!

RYAN ALEXANDER

Bernice Johnson Reagon once stated that “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”  I can truly say that this quote relates to me and how I changed the outlook of my life to benefit myself and others.  It all began when I was five years old.  My mother took me to sign up for pee wee football.   I cried for hours, all the other boys were looking at me, but I didn’t care that I was crying in front of everyone, I just wanted to go home.  All the other boys had their fathers with them, but I was the only one with my mother, I just wanted to be like the other boys.

 Later on my Godfather told me that I was a big boy and that I should try to play football.  My Godfather would take me and my god brother to play and workout in the park to practice football drills.  I can remember that I did not like to do drills in the heat of the summer.  My Godfather would always encourage me from being lazy; he would explain that if I want to be great I would have to work at becoming better.  I listened and did the drills as hard as I could, because I wanted to get better and I wanted to spend time with my Godfather like the other boys did with their fathers.   My main obstacle was that my father never spent time with me or came to any of my football games.  The person that I wanted there the most never showed up: my dad.  I often wondered when I looked in the stands and saw my mother and sister at every game, what could be more important than coming to your son’s games?  I got use to him not being there, but always longed for that father and son moment that most boys had from day one.  I always wanted my father to say to me “Ryan I see you, you’re doing a great job, and mostly I am so proud of you.”  It made me feel unwanted by my father, but my mother, sister and God father always made up for that missing feeling and I always did my best to make them all proud of me.  As I grew older the absence of my father motivated me to hit harder, run faster and learn as much as I could about the game.

My Godfather has been that true substitute father for me.  He taught me everything I needed to know about football and about life.  He is positive, strong, a hard worker and most of all smart.  He would buy me my football equipment and encourage me with positive affirmations to help me stay focused before and after my football games, he helped me with my homework, picked me up from the babysitter and watched movies and sports with me on the weekends.  I always strived to make my Godfather proud and my father proud even though he wasn’t there for me the way I wanted him to be there for me.  I used my lack of biological paternal involvement to help me focus in school, on the football field and in life.  I have played many sports over my lifetime because of the encouragement of my Godfather: karate, t-ball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, swimming and of them all, my love is strongest for football.  

The game of football has helped me to stay focused both mentally and physically, I have used it as my vehicle to success.  I decided that I want to be the player that shows others how to turn their fear or problem into a method to reach success.  As I grew older, I realized my need to be like everyone else: a boy with a strong father bond wasn’t as important as me being successful on and off the field: mainly academically.  There were so many fathers who always had a kind word to say, gave me a hug or a pat on the back and said good job or coaches who were always there to say they were proud of me.  Then I looked at my Godfather who was always there and never let me feel like I was alone.  My mother who worked hard to make sure I was always in a space where positive male role models interacted with me and my sister who always yelled the loudest at my games.  I knew that my fear really helped me to grow and develop into the young man and athlete that I am today.   I had many excuses not to do well, but I didn’t let that stop me from rising above my circumstances and fears.  I want to continue to learn, grow and share my knowledge and love for the discipline of football with others as a means of encouraging a future of younger players, not to let any excuse stop them from being successful in life and at a sport.          

PETER DIAZ

My name is Peter Diaz, and I am a 17-year-old first-generation Dominican-American with a deep-rooted passion for athletics and a drive to pursue a career in business, which I hope to be starting at Saint John’s University this fall. Growing up, sports have been an integral part of my life, shaping my character and teaching me invaluable lessons in discipline, leadership, and teamwork. From the intensity of field hockey to the solitary challenge of swimming and the camaraderie of track and field, each sport has contributed to my personal growth and development.

Through athletics, I have learned firsthand the importance of setting goals, working tirelessly to achieve them, and collaborating effectively with teammates. These experiences have instilled in me a strong work ethic and a determination to excel both on and off the field.

Inspired by the achievements of my older sisters, who studied business, I am drawn to the field of business for its dynamic nature and its potential to impact various industries and communities. Witnessing their journey has fueled my ambition to pursue a similar path and leverage my passion for sports within the realm of business.

In the business world, I see parallels to sports in terms of strategy, competition, and teamwork. Just as athletes strategize to win games, businesses strategize to achieve success in the market. The skills I have honed through sports—such as critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability—are directly transferable to a career in business. I am eager to apply these skills to solve challenges, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to the business landscape.

Saint John's University holds a special place in my heart, not only because of its academic reputation but also because it represents a continuation of my family's legacy. I am inspired by the opportunity to follow in my sisters' footsteps, pursuing a quality education that will empower me to make a positive impact in my community.

As I embark on this journey, I am excited about the prospect of expanding my knowledge, refining my skills, and embracing new opportunities for personal and professional growth. With a firm foundation in athletics and a passion for business, I am committed to achieving my goals and making a difference in the world around me.

In conclusion, my aspiration to study business at Saint John's University is driven by a desire to merge my love for sports with a rewarding career that challenges me to innovate, lead, and succeed. I look forward to contributing to its vibrant community and using my education to create a lasting impact in the business world and beyond.

ISRAEL CLARK

My Reason Why

Growing up in the city of Camden helped me to  experience the real world at a young age. The city Molded me with a survival mentality and helped me overcome tough circumstances in my life. As the youngest sibling in my immediate family I learned to be observant which helped me to not make  bad decisions or create bad habits. I always wanted to be the one that my family can be proud of. So at a young age I grew the love for sports. Football has always been my safe space to get away from the bad energy and social groups in my city. My dream is to be one the greatest football players to ever play in the NFL. I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old and have been in love with the game ever since. Football is where I find peace in life, it’s where I get to let my personal battles out. Football is like my ticket out of Camden to experience what the rest of the world has to offer.

I now attend Monmouth University and will be in my second year playing football at the collegiate level. I thank god for giving me this opportunity to play the game of football at 19 years old. Most kids I grew up with unfortunately didn’t have a chance to, so I'm extremely humble and blessed to be in the situation I am in  today. But that is not my only reason why I play football. November 1st 2023, my Mother passed away from a heart attack. My mom was my everything , my best friend and motivation. I give my all on the field because I wanted to make sure she never had to work a job again. Raising me and my siblings in a single parent household was a struggle for her so I dreamt of making sure her or my siblings never had to stress or struggle again. Now that she's physically not in this world anymore I know my mother is with me in spirit. I have to finish the mission for her and carry on her name. My mom is my reason why I am who I am today. She is why I don’t give up on my goals and work hard to pursue my dream because she always supported me and never gave up on me.

When I make it to the NFL, I want to show the youth that anything is possible. Anything you work hard for they can also achieve. I will be a positive role model for my community. Leadership is not just telling people what to do, it's about doing the right thing and being a positive influence and then others will follow after you. I work hard for my family and to impact the  youth in Camden New Jersey to show them that there’s a more positive way.