Achievers Receive $212,000 in Scholarships to The College of Saint Rose

6/15/2011 10:53:00 AM

Capital District YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Receive $212,000 in Scholarships to The College of Saint Rose 

Albany -- June 9, 2011, the Capital District YMCA hosted its 8th Annual Black & Latino Achievers Recognition Dinner at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center.  At the event, 21 youth and 15 adult achievers were honored for their commitment and contributions to our community.

The evening's keynote speaker was James Morton, CEO of the Greater Hartford YMCA.  Mr. Morton shared his personal struggles to overcome racism and poverty with the capacity crowd of over 400.  Connecting deeply with the Achievers, Mr. Morton urged all in attendance to “Fight the urge to be average.”

In addition to the emotionally charged keynote address, the Capital District YMCA also presented several awards.

Johari Johnson was named Youth Achiever of the Year. The Shenendehowa senior was extremely active in the Achievers program and used special events like YNN Technology Day to find her passion for broadcast journalism.  She will be attending Hampton University in the fall.

Adult Achiever of the Year honors went to Nancy Santiago. In her role as Chief of Staff for Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Mrs. Santiago helped Achievers participate in summer internships at various State Senate offices, showing students how government works and how they can make a difference.

The Y also awarded two community business awards. Community Partner of the Year honors went to CAP COM Federal Credit Union, for demonstrating strong support of the Achievers program and providing speakers and mentoring through its employees.

Corporate Partner of the Year honors went to M&T Bank, for helping develop and coordinate the Student Society of Finance, a program which teaches students fiscal principles for their daily lives. 

As part of a long-standing partnership with The College of Saint Rose, two Achievers received full-tuition scholarships to Saint Rose, with a value of more than $212,000. They are Simone Arrington from Bethlehem Central and D'Aundra Murray from Shenendehowa. 

The Y would like to thank all those who supported the Achievers banquet. 

List of 2011 Black & Latino Achievers Honorees:

Adult Achievers (Name, Company)

Sasha Barnes, Hudson Valley Community College

Adrienne Day, New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Albert De Salvo, M&T Bank

Michael Fondacaro, New York State Department of Transportation

Cynthia Greene, New York State Workers Compensation

Sylvia Jimison, Southern Vermont College

David McCalla, City School District of Albany

Carie Sala, CAP COM Federal Credit Union

Martin Sanders, KeyBank

Nancy Santiago, New York State Senate

John Scharf, Momentive Performance Materials

Eric Shaw, Bethel Baptist Church

Charles Smith, Enlarged City School District of Troy

Paul Webster, New York State United Teachers

Michelle Woodley, General Electric

Youth Achievers (Name, School)

Maysa N. Ahmed, Schenectady High

Jeff A. Bonilla, Troy High

Kéron Coffin, Christian Brothers Academy

Miranda Espinoza, Bethlehem Central

Jared Frazer, Shenendehowa

Naeem Gibson, Guilderland High

Malcolm Good, Lasalle Institute

Aliyah Goodbee, Voorheesville High

Jonathan Irizarry, Rensselaer High

Johari Johnson, Shenendehowa

Chris Lamson-Marrero, Lansingburgh High

Contessa Lee, Albany High

Stephanie Alysse Middleton, Bethlehem Central

Michael Morrison, Bethlehem Central

Diimond Mortimore, Schalmont High

Yves Nazon II, Guilderland High

Konrad Odhiambo, Guilderland High

Myllasa Riggins, Albany High

Charles Rogers Jr., Colonie High

Thomas Santiago, Guilderland High

Kaliel Lamar Williamson, Tech Valley High