Tanyah Thomas
Senior at Elmont Memorial High School

Tanyah Thomas is currently a senior at Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont, NY maintaining a  grade point average of 3.64 over 4.00. She has not yet decided on which college or university to attend after graduation in this coming June. 
    
Determination to succeed if life is what propels / motivates Tanyah to excel academically and beyond. Here is Tania Story in her own words: Quote: “Pete Rose once said If someone is gracious enough to give me a second chance, I won’t need a third”. In my case that someone was God. I can recall a time when my life was spared while others perished right before my eyes. The earthquake that happened in Haiti on January 12, 2010 is the event that shaped my life and taught me how to appreciate life and not to take anything for granted including a great education.

It has changed my perspective on my education because before I didn’t care much about school. After seeing the effort my mother put in for us to have a better future, made me realize that the best way to thank her for her sacrifice is to do well in school and be a gift to the world by being a good citizen. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to live with a family that champions education and being well rounded. As I am graduating from High School, I am looking forward to go to a good college and fulfill my dreams. This scholarship will make my dreams come true in so many ways. I promise that I will not take this scholarship for granted. I saw how so many people sacrificed time, resources etc. to help Haiti. Having gone through this experience makes me a bet­ter person. Someone who wants to give back to her community and not turn away when a friend, neighbor, or even a stranger needs a helping hand. I have so many people who helped shape the woman that I am today and I want to do my part by helping others.

In her acceptance letter for the scholarship, Tanyah wrote: Dear Mr. Duplessy, Words cannot explain how I felt when I read your letter informing me that I won the Shani E Duplessy Memorial Scholarship. I am honored, very appreciative and happy that you chose me to be one of the Shani E. Duplessy Memorial Scholarship Fund recipients. The fact that you have given me the opportu­nity to continue my education makes me forever grateful to the Duplessy family for doing this, and for helping eager students like me who dare to dream and are struggling financially. Sincerely,

Tanyah Thomas

Marie Albanese
Senior at H. Frank Carey High School

Marie Albanese is currently a senior student at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square, New York. Marie has maintained a steady Grade Point Average of 4.00 over 4.00 during her entire four years in high school. She has not yet decided on the college or university she will attend after graduation in June 2016.

Her full academic workload, does not stop her to participate in countless extra-curriculum activi¬ties. The list is too long to name them all here. Among them we note: The Italian Culture Club, Habitat for Humanity, Twenty First Century Scholars and the Saving our Society Club. Academically, Marie is a member of the National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society. Both organizations include doing community service and keeping a grade point average of 90 or above to remain a member.

In a letter of recommendation, her School Counselor wrote: Marie genuinely wants to help others in need. She is mature beyond her years and extremely well respected by our entire community; it is the utter selflessness in Marie’s personality that has impressed me and the rest of our faculty so much. When observing her in club meetings, on the field during practice, or in classroom; it is truly amazing to see a young lady able to interact with literally with anybody in our school and who does everything with her patented smile on her face. Marie is both inspired and inspirational.

In her acceptance letter Marie wrote: I am incredibly honored to have been chosen for the Shani E. Duplessy Memorial Scholarship. I intend to use this scholarship to attend a university of my choice in the fall and to pursue a career in Speech-Pathology. Throughout high school I have volunteered in various ways with children such as at Washington Street Elementary School’ s after school program, my school’s autism social club, as well as aiding my school’s Speech-Pathology in student sessions. I love to work with children and strive to ultimately make a difference in their lives. This scholarship will help me further my education to do just that as a Speech-Pathologist.

Thank you so much

Marie Albanese

Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna
Senior at Elmont memorial High school

Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna is currently a senior at Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont, New York maintaining a grade point average of 101.64 out of a scale of 100. She has not decided yet on the college she will attend after graduation in June 2016. Her choices are limitless because any learning institution would be proud and honored to have her on their campus. In her personal essay which is part of her scholarship application, Augusta wrote: To my people, uncertainty is the monster that lucks under the bed; it creates sleepless nights filled with worry for the future. But for me, uncertainty has opened my mind up to many possibilities. My family’s words of “dream big” constantly resonate in my mind as I am determine to get my share of “milk and honey”. To do this, I have stuck my head in everything, grasping all ideas that could incite a hidden interest in me. Through this process, I joined my school’s science research project program. I was completely aware of my love of science, and indulge in its versatility. I learned that my fascination lies in the significance of ephemeral chemical reactions to all lifeforms. I reveled in this, consequently limiting my research to the element of biochemistry. This penchant explains my desire to pursue medicine ...

Augusta is a multi-faceted individual who has earned accolades, both in and out of the classroom. She is the President of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), President of the Leo Club and Executive Director of Excel Education Preparation, and the list goes on. Augusta also participates in the World Language Honor Society, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society and Science Honor Society.

One of her school counselors has this to say: Augusta pursues all projects while maintaining an exceptional rigorous course load. She has taken all the AP science and math courses our school offers, and her teachers always say she is the top of her class. It comes as no surprise to me that she is the class of 2016 Valedictorian,

In her acceptance letter for this scholarship, Augusta wrote: My name is Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna and words cannot explain my delight. It is such a great honor to have been selected to receive the Shani E. Duplessy Memorial Scholarship Fund award. It is with gratitude that I accept the scholarship, which will be used for my undergraduate education. Though I am not sure where I will matriculate, I intend to study Biochemistry and Sustainable Development on pre-medical track. I know that the funds of this scholarship will help me remain focused during this rigorous academic track without a huge financial burden. I cannot express how thankful I am for this generous award and I am confident that this money will make my academic pursuits limitless.

Signed: Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna