Joel Edouard
Senior at Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary, Elmhurst, NY

Joel Edouard, is currently a senior at the Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminar in Elmhurst, New York, graduating in May 2017. He will attend St. John University in the Fall. His ultimate goal is to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and to become a Graphic Designer.  
    
The following, is a quote from one of Joel’s teachers: (For many students, volunteering occurs when they are free; in my opinion, Joel does not know what free time is because he is always involved and he is so humble.) end of quote. After reading Joel’s personal essay and his endless list of extra curriculum activities that were part of his scholarship application to the Shani Duplessy foundation, we believe that as well. Joel is a multi-faceted student who has earned accolades of awards from several learning institutions and praises from his teachers and peers alike.

Captain of his school Varsity Basketball team, member of the National Honor Society, Headman of the senior class at Cathedral Prep. Member of Precalculus Honors, Member of the student Leadership Council, Tutor, Music Orchestra, Sacristan, Church lector, Choir member etc,etc. These are only a few activities of Joel busy schedule. And guess what, Joel continues to maintain an academic Grade Point Average of 93.81 over 100 for 4 years consecutively

In his acceptance letter Joel wrote: I am honored to be the Shani E. Duplessy Memorial Scholarship Fund Award 2017 recipient. I would like to thank the organization for giving me the opportunity to apply. With this scholarship, I plan to fund my education to achieve my Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. I truly believe that award will set me on the path to creating an art center in my community that will teach youth how they can use their talents to benefit their communities.

Grace Angeline St. Urbain
Freshman at the University of Georgia

Grace St. Urbain is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia USA, completing her second semester and majoring in International affairs and Romance Languages. Despite her constant involvement in countless extra curriculum activities after school and on behalf of her community since her early years in high school to college today, Grace has maintains a full academic workload that excels into a 3.83 grade point average over 4. Well done Grace!

In her application for this scholarship, Grace wrote in her personal essay: Education has always been consistently present. Whether formally in book studies or in a more general approach in the learning of the arts, especially music and global Knowledge that shaped me into the student of life. The more I learn, the more I am eager to extend my education and discover how far I can broaden my horizons and push my limits both inside the classroom and in my community.

In her acceptance letter for this scholarship, Grace wrote: The generous assistance that the Shani E. Duplessy Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded me is a blessing that will help me achieve my academic goals. It will allow me to meet some of my financial demands of my career at the University of Georgia. This scholarship will alleviate myself and my family of the financial stress that comes with pursing my degree.

Grace is pursuing a bachelor degree in both International Affairs and Romance Languages. Her ultimate goal is to achieve a degree in International Law with a specialty in immigration.

Bravo Zayas
Senior at St. Francis Prep, New York

Bravo Zayas is currently a senior at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, New York. In his application for this scholarship, Bravo wrote: In my first year in high school, I was hungry for challenges. I reached goals that defined me as the student that I wanted to be, and dedicated myself to the quest for knowledge. In sophomore year, I packed my schedule with challenging classes and took a more active role in my community. My family was struggling financially and my brother and I were taken out of school three weeks before Christmas break. We didn’t return until a week after the second semester had begun. I spent the entire year playing catch up with lessons I missed and the lessons that were built upon the ones I missed. This would happen again in my junior year. End of quote. Despise all those unfortunate setbacks, Bravo did not let them stop him from maintaining an outstanding academic grade point average of 4.03 over 4, year after year. Excellent!

His director of counseling wrote this: Bravo has been enrolled in one of the most demanding curriculum we offer at St. Francis Prep. By the end of his time here, he will have graduated with a combined 11 Honors and Advance Placement classes. Bravo is one who you want on your team or in this case your community. On top of his already demanding schedule, Bravo has taken 4 years of foreign language and 2 years of string orchestra.

In his acceptance letter for this scholarship, Bravo wrote: First off, let me just say what an honor and privilege to have been selected for this award. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everybody that had a part in the selection process. It is with humility and profound gratitude that I accept this scholarship. This scholarship will allow me to easily attend my school of choice, St. John’s University. The doors your gift has opened for me will truly come a long way in my academic growth for many years to come. Thank you for your generosity. Bravo will pursue a degree in Biology at St. John’s University after graduation in June from St. Francis Prep.