Education Award

Abby will enroll at Central Connecticut State University in the fall. Ever since she was a little girl, her goal has always been to help people. Growing up in a family of doctors and nurses, she aspires to follow in their footsteps and become a nurse. Her eventual goal is to pursue a Doctorate in pediatric nursing anesthesia. Driven by her own cancer journey, she wants to assist other children with chronic illnesses.

Ashlyn is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Mount Saint Mary College. As she works toward earning her BSN in nursing, her goal is to become a pediatric oncology nurse at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, where she received treatment for her cancer. She aspires to be the same source of light for other kids as her nurses were for her during her treatment.

Bernardo is a student at UCONN Stamford. He has been using his time at college to explore different areas of interest and, with the guidance of two inspiring professors, has found the path he wants to pursue – teaching. He looks forward to the opportunity to connect with the next generation and give them the motivation and skills to succeed.

CJ recently graduated from high school. Playing sports has been a significant part of Christopher’s life, and in college, he plans to study exercise science, which can lead to a career in healthcare, sports medicine, fitness, and other related fields. He wants to help people recover after a difficult period in their lives, just as many people have helped him throughout his treatment.

Declan is in Sacred Heart University’s dual-degree Physician Assistant Studies program, which combines a bachelor’s and master’s degree in preparation for a career as a Physician’s Assistant. He has already worked as a medical scribe at Norwalk Hospital and volunteered at St. Vincent’s Hospital, giving him a preview of the healthcare environment and reinforcing his interest in this field.

Ekamnoor plans to study nursing in college – aspiring to be a pediatric oncology nurse. Her goal is to become a person families can rely on during the darkest times. Having gone through such times herself, she understands the profound difference a nurse can make in brightening the lives of these children and their families.

Eshal has spent time volunteering at an Islamic school to help children learn to read. During this experience, she observed that some of these children had severe challenges with their speech. She became determined to help kids overcome these obstacles by attending college to learn more about speech disorders, their causes, their impacts on human development, and how to find solutions to assist people facing these challenges.

Hannah is currently attending the University of Hartford. As a business management major with minors in psychology and project management, she aims to work for a nonprofit organization after graduation. She already has hands-on experience working with several non-profits during high school and wants to use her degree to give back and strengthen the organizations that helped her during her treatment.

Jasmine is attending Southern CT State University. After she was diagnosed, she started working at her dad’s car dealership. Being at the dealership helped her forget about her cancer, and she grew to love the car business. She likes it so much that she is majoring in business management and hopes to run her own dealership someday.

Jonathan recently graduated from Engineering and Science University Magnet School. This fall, he will attend Lincoln Tech to gain the technical knowledge and skills necessary to become an electrician. He aspires to be a master electrician and perhaps start his own business one day.

Jonathan will attend New England Barber Academy this year. He plans to earn his barbering certificate and then embark on a career cutting hair, potentially opening his own barbershop in the future. Jonathan sees barbers as more than just people who cut hair; he views them as confidants with whom customers can engage in deep conversations, often becoming the highlight of their day. He looks forward to these interactions and building strong relationships with his clients.

Jose is currently enrolled at Western CT State University. His aim is to earn a bachelor’s degree in either accounting or finance. Jose is considering various potential career paths, yet he has a strong affinity for math and is intrigued by financial markets and investments. Additionally, Jose has a passion for travel and desires to explore new places after college.

Katherine is currently a student at Quinnipiac University. A highlight of her college experience thus far has been joining clubs and organizations on campus. This opportunity has allowed her to discover and explore new interests that she might not have otherwise considered. She aspires to become president of one of these organizations, which could help her cultivate essential skills for a successful career after college.

Keylin is currently majoring in human development and family sciences at UCONN. Her goal is to her MSW degree after college and be a clinical social worker. During Keylin’s treatment, she met a social worker who had cancer as a teenager, giving her someone to turn to who truly understood what she was experiencing. She wants to provide that same kind of comfort and support to other children who need it most.

Lily recently graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in public health. She is now pursuing a nursing degree through a 15-month accelerated program at Fairfield University. Inspired by her interactions with healthcare providers during her own medical treatment, Lily aims to combine her public health background with clinical skills to deliver patient-centered care and enhance the quality of life for those undergoing treatment.

Camila is pursuing a nursing degree at Northeastern University – Charlotte. Compassion, resilience, and dedication are qualities she has developed through her life experiences, and they also make her an ideal fit for a nursing career. Her dream is to become an oncology nurse who gives back to her community and supports her family financially.

Maddie is pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at Quinnipiac University. Her goal is to work in a hospital as an occupational therapist (OT) after graduation, helping pediatric patients navigate what she experienced during her own treatment.

Mason is in UCONN’s Ratcliffe Hicks program, pursuing a degree in plant science. He aims to earn a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. Mason has always enjoyed the outdoors, and during his recovery from cancer, he discovered a passion for landscaping. He has already started his own landscaping business, and with his degrees, he hopes to grow this business into one of the most recognized landscaping companies in the state.

Mileydi will be attending Norwalk Community College this fall. She is proud to become the first member of her family to attend college! She has always been determined to make her parents proud and feels fortunate to attain a level of education they never had the opportunity to receive. Her goal is to earn a degree in radiography and pursue a career in the medical field.

Nate currently attends Dean College, where he’s majoring in psychology with a minor in human services. He is passionate about understanding human behavior and mental health. He wants to use his degree to advocate for individuals facing mental health challenges, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

Oliver is currently pursuing a degree in computer science at Southern Methodist University. His goal is to develop innovative technological solutions through software engineering and artificial intelligence. Oliver regards his degree as more than just an academic accomplishment; to him, it represents overcoming obstacles, achieving personal growth, and positioning himself to make a positive impact on the community.

Scion will be a freshman at UCONN Stamford in the fall. He plans to study psychology and find a role where he can assist others in need. Drawing from his own transformative experiences, he aspires to be a support beam for those who cannot support themselves.

Sophie is a student at Georgetown University. She plans to major in neurobiology with a minor in economics and is interested in pursuing a career in the biotech industry. She is fascinated by the intersection of business, science, technology, and medicine.