Colleen Czeczuga

Returning to school after over 25 years was a very daunting decision. I am very thankful for this award as it will help to minimize the amount of money I will need to borrow to finish my degree. I am currently working in a high school multiple disabled classroom. I plan to continue to get my masters in special education so I can continue to work with this population. While at Ramapo I have manage d to maintain a 4.0 gpa while working full time and raising two children. Returning to school has been a very fulfilling experience so far and I look forward to the next semester.

Donna Centurion

“Making the decision to further my education was one of the best decisions I have made. Ramapo made it an easy transition for me,” says Donna Centurion.

She is a Sociology major with the goal of becoming a Social Worker in the near future. She has 3.975 GPA and is a part of the Golden Key National Honor Society. “I am a single mother of 3 children. I lost my husband 4 years ago which was very traumatic for my family. I decided to return to school after 15 years. I made this choice to better myself.”

Donna has also been involved in off–campus organizations including the Girl Scouts of Northern N.J. Lyndhurst Service Unit both as Co-Leader and Treasurer. She also works full-time at Kearny Bank as a Wire Assistant. She has been in banking for over 18 years, but looks forward to moving towards the Social Work field after graduating in January 2025.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Leslie Restrepo

“As a mother of three beautiful girls, obtaining my degree is a major accomplishment. Passing down the values of being persistent, hardworking and resilient to my daughters has kept me going during times where obtaining my BA seemed impossible,” says Social Science major Leslie Restrepo. She has a 3.6 GPA.

Leslie has worked at a non-profit social service agency for eight years. “This has expanded my empathy and understanding for those in need. Serving the community and giving back to those who have been in similar situations to my own has been my motivation to work in social service.”

She hopes to obtain her master’s degree at Ramapo.

Leslie is from Perth Amboy, N.J.

Patrice Lenowitz

Patrice Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. is a junior majoring in Contemporary Arts/Professional Communications in the accelerated degree program. She has a 4.0 GPA.  She came to Ramapo with an Honors and PTK associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.

Patrice has been involved in activities serving the greater community for over a decade, including founding The Nurtured Parent, a free weekly support group for survivors of domestic abuse.  She has served as the domestic violence and human trafficking community educator at the Center for Hope and Safety, and has presented on the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking at Ramapo.

Patrice is a domestic violence survivor, victims’ rights advocate, activist, public speaker and playwright. In 2018 her co-authoring play titled Forbidden to Protect debuted in Albany, N.Y. to rave reviews. Of paramount importance to her work is advocating for victims’ rights, and to unravel why our courts routinely fail the most vulnerable in our society, women and children in crisis seeking a life free from abuse. Her passion and leadership have led to new child protection legislation in N.J.

“My goal is to become a great change activist, ensuring that the rights, safety, health and well-being of our nation’s women and children become our top priority in law and society.”

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.