Paige Dammers

Paige Alis Dammers of Ringwood, N.J. is a junior Visual Arts major with a concentration in Drawing and Painting and has maintained a 3.6 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Paige has been active in the Japanese Language Club, and has a deep love for reading and writing poetry. One of her poems won the first place award for the Poetry Submission Contest at her local library, where the applicant pool exceeded 200 people. She is currently enrolled in the Study Abroad Program at Ramapo, where she is set to study during the 2024 Spring semester in Osaka, Japan. 

Other than poetry, Paige’s hobbies include spending time with friends and family, crocheting, watching anime, and experimenting with various art mediums. 

After college, Paige plans to find a tattoo apprenticeship and begin her career learning and growing as a professional tattoo artist.

Mia Schutz

Mia Schutz of Metuchen N.J. is a Visual Arts major with a concentration in Electronic Arts and Animation. She has a 3.981 GPA and is in the Honors Programs at Ramapo.

At Ramapo, Mia has been active in several clubs like the Animation Production Club and Dumbledore’s Army. Mia has worked with multiple professors as Production Assistants or to illustrate art for books and posters.

Her animations have been selected to be shown in multiple film festivals like the Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival, where she won an award and was brought on stage to be interviewed. She works frequently at her parents’ ice cream shop in her hometown and also used her artistic skills to design logos and an ice cream truck.

Her goal post-graduation is to one day work at a big animation studio like Pixar and direct her own movie or animated TV show.

Jennifer Holland

Jennifer Holland of East Rutherford N.J. is a Contemporary Arts student majoring in Electronic Arts and Animation. She has a 3.7 GPA.  

At Ramapo, Jennifer was the Publicist for the Geek and Nerd Culture Club, where she would create promotional graphics. Jennifer currently works at Roadrunner Designer and creates flyers for campus events. 

Jennifer has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including volunteering at events such as the NJAA’s Annual Children’s Holiday Party. She loves to create paintings and hopes to start a business from her art.  

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.

Sela Stazzone

“I enjoy promoting literacy through graphic novels and supporting local artists and writers in the comic industry,” says Sela Stazzone, a Visual Arts major with a concentration in Electronic Art and Animation. She has a 3.8 GPA, is on the Dean’s List and is member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She plans on working in the animation industry, specializing in either 3D or stop-motion animation. She would also like to teach animation and computer arts at the high school level.

At Ramapo, Sela works in the 3D Printing Studio as a printing assistant. Off-campus, she volunteers at the Hunterdon Art Museum, where she assists art workshops and is a counselor for the summer camps. She also is the lead volunteer for the Annual Phillipsburg High School Comic Convention.

She is from Phillipsburg, N.J.

Giselle Ruiz

Giselle Ruiz of Pompton Lakes, N.J. is a Visual Arts Major with a concentration in Drawing and Painting: Art Therapy with a Psychology Minor. She has a 3.7 GPA.

Giselle is grateful to the EOF program for helping her to achieve her goal of a college education.  In addition to serving as a Peer Mentor for incoming EOF scholars, she works on campus with Dining Services.

“After I graduate, my goal is to help others through art, as art has helped me cope with life’s craziness.”

Angelica Pasquali

Angelica Pasquali of Mahwah N.J. is a contract major of Visual Arts and Marketing. She has a 3.4 GPA and has previously achieved Dean’s list status.

At Ramapo, Angelica participates in mindful events, such as yoga sessions held by the Krame Center and works with the Center to help reach more students. She also works as a school photographer on the Ramapo marketing team, documenting events and working on special marketing projects. In her sophomore year, she was active in the Visual Arts Society club where fellow student artists gathered to give constructive criticism on our works and build a stronger awareness on campus for visual artists.

Angelica provides her photography services free of charge for the non-profit Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization and volunteers as a helping field hand. Her photography business, Luna Photography, has worked with clients such as dentists, families, and more in the local area.

Amie Wuchter

“This scholarship will help me pay for my schooling so that I can start a career in art education without as much fear of student debt,” said Amie Wuchter of Neptune, NJ.  Amie is a Visual Arts major with a Drawing and Painting concentration. She has a 4.0 GPA.

Amie is actively involved at Ramapo, and currently serves as the secretary of the Yoga Club, and volunteers her time teaching yoga to the campus community.  She is also part of the Visual Artist’s Society and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

Off campus she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and with farm cleanups with MEVO.  She also works in the quality control department at Worthington Biochemical Corporation.

“For now and in the future, I look forward to helping others through education (both in art and yoga),” added Amie.

Kelsey Brentnall

Kelsey Brentnall of Hillsdale, NJ is an Art and Biology major. She has a 3.94 GPA and is a Presidential Scholar. Kelsey has achieved Dean’s List status each semester at Ramapo and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Golden Key Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Kelsey has been active in the Ramapo College Honors Program as an Executive Board member.

Kelsey has also been involved in off – campus activities, including tutoring and co-teaching an oil painting class at the Ridgewood Art Institute.