Katelynn Haury

Katelynn Haury of Paramus, N.J. is a Social Science major with a minor in Environmental Studies. She has a 3.9 GPA and is on the Dean’s List. Katelynn is a member of the Honors Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, and she holds a Certificate of Biliteracy in German as well as an Environmental Stewardship Leadership Certificate from Columbia University.

At Ramapo, Katelynn has been active in the Student Government Association, Sunrise Club and Birding Club. Through Student Government, she holds the position of Senator-at-Large, where she is the liaison to the Cahill Career Center. She holds the position of Vice President of the Sunrise Club, a climate action organization, where she has been able to push for environmental action, like protesting fossil fuels in NYC. Katelynn is also President of the Birding Club, where she further has been engaged with helping the local environment through efforts to reduce bird-strikes on campus.

Additionally, Katelynn volunteers for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, where she volunteers to mentor a child and be a positive role model, as well as the Paramus Environmental Commission, which is one organization she has engaged in local environmental clean-ups with. 

After graduation, Katelynn wants to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work so she can become a licensed therapist post-graduation, as she aspires to help others in the future through her work with people and the environment.

Anthony Bertollo

Anthony Bertollo of Hawthorne, N.J. is a Digital Filmmaking major and has a 4.0 GPA. Anthony enjoys editing and writing as he feels both endeavors allow him to express his creativity and create projects he is proud of.  

At Ramapo, Anthony is an active member of the cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field teams. Anthony loves to run as he finds it incredibly therapeutic and allows him to push himself beyond his limits. While participating in cross country at his previous institution, Anthony placed in the top seven at the NJCAA Regional Championships and was awarded First Team All-Region for this accomplishment. 

Anthony also works as a summer camp counselor at the Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne, New Jersey. He supervises young children and plans activities for them to participate in throughout the day. Anthony truly enjoys working with children and hopes to continue this occupation for the foreseeable future.

After graduation, Anthony plans to pursue a career as either a cinematographer or screenwriter and hopes that he can indulge in an occupation he will enjoy for years to come.

Grace Velarde

Grace Velarde of Oakland, N.J. is a Contemporary Arts Contract major with a Computer Science minor. She has a 3.97 GPA. She is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Alpha Lambda Delta.

Grace has been active in several other organizations and activities, at Ramapo including the Student Government Association as the Contemporary Arts School Senator, the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors Program, and the Ramapo College Concert Band as an alto saxophone player.

Grace has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including doing freelance work for Warner Music Group and working as a Web Design/Digital Marketing Intern with Career Transition Resources, LLC. 

An accomplishment she is proud of is starting her own small business and art brand under the name Graceful Graphics in March 2020.

Hannah Velarde

Hannah Velarde of Oakland, N.J. is an Elementary Education Major with a minor in Psychology.  She is a member of the Honors Program and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Eventually, she plans on earning a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Education.

Hannah is involved with Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors, Commuter Affairs, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she engages with children through homework and activities. 

Off-campus, she volunteers at North Hudson Community Fairs, and for almost nine years, she has volunteered at A Step Ahead Preschool in North Bergen, N.J. There, she assists with curriculum development, plays with children, and learns essential classroom skills. She also started a Garden Project, where the children learn how to harvest vegetables and eat healthy. 

Hannah has a 3.3. GPA.

Grace Velarde

Grace Velarde of Oakland N.J. is a Contemporary Arts Contract Major with a 3.97 GPA. She is a member of the Honors Program, Alpha Lambda Delta and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Two of Grace’s paintings were chosen to be displayed at an art exhibition called “A New Berth,” held by the Camden Fireworks art gallery. A percentage of the commission made from the sold artworks was used to better the water system. “I was humbled by the opportunity to direct my passion for art toward helping those in need,” says Grace. 

On campus, Grace organizes open houses and gives campus tours as a Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassador. She also plays the alto saxophone in the college’s Jazz and Concert Bands.

In her free time, Grace volunteers at organizations such as A Step Ahead Preschool in North Bergen, N.J. and the North Hudson Community Action Corporation in Union City, N.J.

Cassidy DeMona

Cassidy DeMona of Wyckoff, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with minors in Psychology and Literary Studies, and she plans on getting her Masters in Special Education. She has a 3.88 GPA and is a member of the College Honors Program, Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society for Educators, and Tau Sigma Transfers Honors Society.

Cassidy is a sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, where she serves as the Community Service Chair. She is on the executive board of the Residence Hall Council and is the Social and Service Chair for Tau Sigma.

In 2015, Cassidy founded Invisible No More Foundation, a non-profit organization to help children with life-altering illnesses. She was named one of the 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women of 2018 by HerCampus. She works at a local organization serving children with special needs and is a counselor at French Woods Sports and Arts Center.

Miabelle Carbonell

Miabelle Carbonell of Haskell, N.J. is a Nursing major.  In the fall of 2018, after earning her RN degree and licensure at Passaic County Community College, Miabelle began the pursuit of her BSN at Ramapo.  She hopes to further her education by obtaining a MSN and becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Miabelle has volunteered for multiple organizations, including Be the Match: Bone Marrow Drive, the Central Jersey Blood Drive, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Breast Cancer Awareness, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  In addition, she works part-time at a Nursing home in Bloomingdale, N.J. as a registered nurse, taking care of patients and residents.

“My goal is to assist in finding the cure for many diseases,” Miabelle says, “And to help people from third world countries who lack resources and the necessities for basic living.”

Austin Miller

Austin Miller of Mahwah, N.J. is Biochemistry major.  He has a 3.56 GPA and is a member of the College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Austin has been a Resident Assistant for three years, including for first-year students helping support their college transition.  He has also has been employed as an athletic trainer aide and as a counselor for the Ramapo Explorers program that teaches STEM to local middle school-aged youth.

Austin is a member of the Mahwah Emergency Medical Services Squad, where he has been recognized consistently as a top responder, received a Lifesaver Award for a CPR save, is a certified CPR instructor, and has served as Lieutenant for three years, and is also the Deputy Chief-elect of training for 2018.  Austin is also employed as a pharmacy technician at a local pharmacy where he works several times a week in order to gain experience since after graduation he plans to enroll in pharmacy school.

Achyut Gautam

Achyut Gautam of Kathmandu, Nepal is a sophomore pursuing a major in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Mathematics and Economics. He is also enrolled in the college Honors Program and has a GPA of 3.91.

He’s involved in multiple clubs and organizations on campus, including the Student Government Association (SGA), the International Student Organization (ISO), the Finance Club and the Civic and Community Engagement Center.

“As a student of Ramapo, I am confident that I will continue to grow more confident as a leader, accomplish my academic goals, and learn different invaluable life skills,” said Achyut.  In addition to his academic pursuits, he started working on a social venture to serve the communities of Nepal and plans to complete it by the end of 2017.

James Dygos

James Dygos of West Milford, NJ is an Information Technology Management major. He has a 3.95 GPA. James was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society.

James is involved with Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors, Transfer Connection, and is a member of the Ramapo Track and Field team.

He has also served as a firefighter for the West Milford Volunteer Fire Department Company 6, and has also volunteered at the Lymphoma Research Foundation Irish Whisper walk fundraiser.

Christopher Blackley

Amanda Khoudary

Amanda Khoudary of East Brunswick, N.J. is a social work major and a substance abuse minor. She has a 3.9 grade point average.  Amanda’s dedication her education and community service led her to receiving a scholarship and being inducted to the national honor society Alpha Lambda Delta.

At Ramapo, Amanda has been active in Bischoff’s Residence Hall Council and has participated in many of their organized events.

Amanda has also been involved in off –campus activities, including an internship at Care One.

Mary Kubler

Mary Kubler of Hackensack, N.J., is a biology major in the physician assistant articulation program. A transfer student, Mary attended the Marion Military Institute her freshman year where she was inducted into the Scabbard & Blade Military Honor Society.
At Ramapo, Mary is a member of the Biology and Pre-med Clubs. Off campus, she is an EMT for a private ambulance company and volunteers for the Ridgefield Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Mary also shadows the Flight Medicine Unit at McGuire Air Force Base.
Mary plans to become a physician assistant in the United States Air Force.

Chelsea Grama

Chelsea Grama of Hamilton, NJ is a Biology major and a Psychology minor. She has applied to medical school and has devoted her undergraduate studies to an intensive science and math curriculum. Chelsea has shadowed four doctors in their specialties. In pursuit of continual intellectual growth, she worked with Professor William Mitchell as an undergraduate research fellow investigating the effects of genetic variance and patterns of naturally- and artificially-induced polyploidy in the Silene species. On campus, Chelsea served as a representative to the Golden Key International Honor Society in Atlanta, GA and is president of Ramapo College’s chapter of the organization. She also serves as a Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassador and team coordinator/fundraising chair for Relay for Life. Chelsea was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and is a member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. Off campus, she holds several volunteer positions and serves as a driver for Meals on Wheels. Chelsea has a 3.84 grade point average.

In the fall of 2014, I will be attending medical school. This generous scholarship will help defray the enormous cost of attendance and bring me one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor. I will continue to work hard to be not only a successful doctor but also a socially conscious member of society.

Aloha Wilkins

Aloha Wilkins of Boonton, NJ is a Social Work major with a concentration in Substance Abuse. A returning adult student, Aloha is a board member of Family Promise Homeless Shelter and a committee member for United Way of Northern NJ. On campus, she is active with Ramapo Readers and the Social Work Club. Aloha says, “It has been individuals in the helping professions who have helped me restore my sanity by providing me with their time, encouragement, counseling, and at times, shelter.” She now wishes to pursue a career in which she can enable others to reach their goals. Aloha has gained invaluable experience working as a direct care counselor with developmentally disabled persons. She describes herself as someone who knows what she wants and who is willing to work hard to achieve her academic and career goals. With a grade point average of 3.04, Aloha has proven herself as a conscientious and dedicated student, while providing an excellent role model for her two children.

Valensiya Tsvetanova

Valensiya Tsvetanova is a senior from Bulgaria who came to the United States six years ago as an exchange student, and was placed in Elkhart, Indiana. Valensiya is majoring in Accounting and Law and Society, and is involved in many campus organizations and projects. Projects have included Alternative Spring Break, treasurer of three student clubs, Model UN, and Students for Free Enterprise. Valensiya plans to enter law school and earn an MBA at the same time.

Thank you for your generosity and support through my academic career.

Nicole Ferrentino

Nicole Ferrentino of Clark, NJ is a Psychology major who is pursuing certification in Elementary Education. The junior gets great satisfaction from having raised three puppies for the Seeing Eye. She organized Christmas Angels to collect gifts for schoolchildren in Newark, NJ. Nicole has volunteered as a veterinary technician at an animal hospital, babysat and received food goods for the food bank rather than a cash payment and created show boxes for children in Africa that consisted of soap, toothbrushes, pencils, notebooks and games. On campus Nicole is active in Relay for Life and Light the Night. She is a founding member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, a peer facilitator and a member of Future Teachers at Ramapo College and theYoga Club. Nicole, who has a 3.74 grade point average, says, “I believe that my purpose in life is to positively influence others, which is reflected by my volunteer activities.”

This scholarship is an honor to receive. I try my hardest to keep up with my schoolwork and community service so this scholarship shows me that all of my hard work pays off. In the future, I will continue to work hard.

Michael Bendett

“Scouting was my start to service and my realization that I always want to help the community as well as other people in need,” says Michael Bendett of Glen Rock, NJ. Michael is a senior majoring in Nursing and has earned a 3.68 grade point average. Michael is a volunteer with the Glen Rock Ambulance Corps. He works as an Emergency Department Technician at Chilton Hospital, and as the EMT and skills director at Camp Yaw Paw. Michael plans to earn a master’s degree in Nursing and work either as a nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Joseph Losos

Joseph Losos is a junior majoring in history and literature with a 3.40 grade point average. Joe is from Ramsey, New Jersey where he was a star baseball player for Ramsey High School. He coaches 13 and 14 year old boys in Ramsey’s Babe Ruth League. He is president of Alpha Chi Rho, a fraternity at Ramapo that sponsors community service by its members, and is a member of the Literature Honor Society.