The Ellenville Central School District (ECSD) presented five of its students with certificates of acceptance into SUNY Ulster’s prestigious President’s Challenge Scholarship (PCS) program on December 5. Upon graduating from Ellenville Junior/Senior High School, these students will each have the opportunity to receive a two-year, tuition-free college education at SUNY Ulster.
Current Grade 9 students Nydia Lopez, Ace Mallia, Kiara Nabinger, Zhnea Rodriguez, and Danna Velazquez are the newest additions to the program, which is open to first-generation, college-bound students who apply when they are in Grade 8. As long as the awardees continue to do well and graduate from high school, they will have their first two years of college at SUNY Ulster paid for by community sponsors. As part of the program, students receive additional guidance and mentoring throughout high school to ensure they stay on track to meet their college goals.
Ellenville school counselor Courtney Vandermark, who serves as a liaison for the scholarship program, said, “I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of this program and the wonderful things that it does for our students. It will open so many doors and provide so many opportunities for our young people to accomplish great things for the future.”
During the ceremony, recipients were gifted with special T-shirts from SUNY Ulster, as well as folders emblazoned with a key message for students to remember: “Start Here and Go Far!” SUNY Ulster President Dr. Alison Buckley could not attend the ceremony, but sent a personal message to recipients. “We hope you look forward to the opportunities of this program,” she said. “Wishing you all continued success and I look forward to engaging with you as you become SUNY Ulster students!”
The new scholarship recipients have already begun working toward their goals.
In October, they had the opportunity to visit SUNY Ulster. During their time on campus,
they toured various buildings, took the “PCS” pledge, and met and built relationships
with their peers from other school districts. They also listened to motivational speaker Rebecca Mercado, who serves as a student success counselor and mentor for Ellenville
students, and meets with them to provide college application support.
The ECSD has been participating in the PCS program since 2018. “There is no better feeling than to be able to partner with SUNY Ulster and this path to success it helps to create for our students,” said Vandermark.