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Shara Family Scholarship

Tom Shara, a 2012 Distinguished Citizen Award recipient, has been serving on the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors for more than 10 years. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeland Bank and previously held leadership positions at TD Banknorth, formerly Hudson United Bancorp. Mr. Shara has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson & Passaic for over 25 years and serves on the organization’s Board of Trustees. A member of the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Bankers Association, and the Chilton Hospital Foundation, Mr. Shara also previously served on the Federal Reserve of New York’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.

Mr. Shara and his wife Judy are both lifelong Bergen County residents. Mr. Shara believes that an effective leader is one who inspires people to achieve more than they may have dreamed possible while nurturing the development of future leaders. Throughout his career, he has strived to create opportunities for advancement both in the workplace and the surrounding community. The Shara Family Scholarship Endowment was created in 2016 and permanently endowed the following year for a deserving student from either Paterson or Passaic in the hopes of enabling them to earn a degree from Ramapo College. The Scholarship reflects Tom and Judy’s shared commitment to the Boys and Girls Club and Ramapo College.


2024 Recipients

Luna Restrepo

Luna Restrepo of Paterson, N.J. is a Social Work major, and part of the 2+2 program with Passaic County Community College.

Luna has been involved in an internship at the Boys and Girls Club in Paterson, N.J.  “My fieldwork experience has became a valuable part of my life that I will use as a part of my learning path/experience as a social worker.  Social Workers help those who can’t help themselves, especially children who feel confused or lost with specific emotions, feelings, and experiences that they are going through; as social workers we help them process this information in a healthy manner.”

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The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2023 Recipients

David Lopez

David Lopez of Passaic, N.J. is a Data Science major. As a high school student, he worked towards and completed his associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.

David has helped to raise money at his church by coming up with ideas to raffle items and volunteers to help sell food. He also started his own business, thesneakermr_ , when he was 14 years old. David’s business is focused around reselling sneakers and clothing.

After graduation, David plans to begin looking for work in the city as a data scientist.


Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2022 Recipients

Shirley Celestino

Shirley Celestino of Paterson, N.J. is a Finance major. She plans to obtain her MBA and work in a financial management position for a firm.

At Ramapo, Shirley has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead and Young Life. Shirley has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children and The Home Depot in Totowa, N.J., where she has received an award for excellent customer service.


Aina Brown

Aina Brown of Paterson, N.J. is a Music major who wants to become an audio engineer or a record producer. “I am a hardworking student who takes pride in everything that I do,” she says. 



2021 Recipient

Danny Vazquez

Danny Vazquez of Paterson, N.J. is a Biochemistry major with an Africana Studies minor.

At Ramapo, Danny has been active in several organizations including Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Incorporated and the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA). He has also been involved in several community activities outside of the Ramapo campus with Lambda Theta Phi, such as helping in toy drives (for Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children of Paterson) or community clean-ups in Paterson with other fraternal organizations.

Through ALMA, Danny has helped different Latin American communities during his two years as President, and won 2019-2020 Outstanding President of the Year, with ALMA winning 2019-2020 Outstanding Organization of the Year during his tenure. Through his experience in multicultural organizations while working many different groups, he wants to continue social justice advocacy and promoting Latin American culture.

After graduating from Ramapo, he wishes to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry while also continuing to help and give back to his hometown of Paterson.


2020 Recipients

Emely Regino

“Working at Camp Rainbow made me realize I want to become a special education teacher. I gained a lot of experience not only working with kids but working with others as a team and developed my leadership skills,” says Emely Regino of Passaic, N.J., an Elementary Education major.

Emely has been active in the Social Work Club, ALMA (Association of Latinos Moving Ahead) Organization and the Sign Language Club. She has also served as a youth assistant at the Family Support Organization of Passaic County. After graduating, Emely would like to pursue a Master’s Degree in Special Education

“People with disabilities need someone who is understanding and patient to look out for them, and with the proper amount of help, they can improve both their social and physical health.”


Za’Hir Stevenson

Za’Hir Stevenson of Paterson, N.J. is a Chemistry major. He has 3.5 GPA.  At Ramapo, Za’Hir is a part of the Honors Program and has participated in activities such as promoting awareness for Standing With Immigrants and a Breast Cancer Fundraiser. He works as a waiter at a restaurant in Paramus, N.J.



2019 Recipient

Adiannys Henriquez

“After graduation, I plan to become an elementary school teacher to provide future generations with a good education and a classroom environment that enables their growth,” says Adiannys Henriquez of Paterson, N.J. Adiannys is an Elementary Education major and is active in the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Women’s Center at Ramapo.

She has been involved in  many organizations in her community, including the Boys and Girls Club, La Vida III, Easter Seals , JDRF walks and many more


2018 Recipient

D’meriah Cuavers

When D’meriah Cuavers was 13 years old she received an award from the Mayor of Paterson, N.J. for making a difference in her hometown. “That acknowledgement helped shape me into the person that I am today.” Her community service work includes volunteering for Strengthen Our Sisters Women and Children’s Shelter and working at the Boys & Girls Club of Hoboken.

D’meriah is proud of obtaining her EMT license at the age of 17. “Although it was a very long and intensive course, the certification was well worth it.”  At Ramapo, she is the President of the Rho Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, an EOF peer mentor, and a fitness supervisor at the Bill Bradley Fitness Center.

She is a Psychology major and plans to continue her education and receive a Master Degree in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University, and ultimately work in pediatric OT.

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