jazzyken
06-08-2005, 11:02 AM
Taking pride in their scholarship
Newark students receive recognition, and assistance, from program
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
BY KATIE WANG
Star-Ledger Staff
Throughout her life, Lavada Berger moved from one home to another, swept by the currents of inner-city poverty.
She was born in a housing project in Newark, lived in Irvington and East Orange and, at one point, even lived in a shelter for battered women with her mother, who was escaping an abusive relationship. Next fall, Berger will make another move -- this time to Cambridge, Mass., where she will be part of the freshman class at Harvard University.
Berger was one of 39 standout scholars recognized last night at the Project Pride scholarship dinner in Newark. The program, now in its 27th year, gives scholarships to Newark students to use toward their college education. Star-Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg, who was born and raised in Newark, started the program.
"The city as it was then -- was one of America's great cities," Izenberg said. "But because it's changed, there's no reason that these kids can't have the same opportunity I had."
In addition to giving scholarships, Project Pride also tutors high school students for the SAT, nurtures gifted students in after- school programs and teaches discipline to thousands of children through its sports programs.
Last night, Izenberg handed out scholarship checks ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 at Don Pepe Restaurant in Newark. Christopher Phillips, a Seton Hall Prep student who will attend Columbia University in the fall, won the $10,000 scholarship prize.
Berger collected two scholarships totaling $8,000. The 17-year-old plans to study finance and education at Harvard. The oldest of five children, Berger is the first in her family to attend college.
"I went through a lot of tough times," she said.
But she saw it through, thanks to mentors and teachers who took an interest in her future. The turning point, she said, was in the sixth grade. By then, her mother found a steady job and the family was no longer moving around as much. Teachers took notice of her and kept tabs on her.
By the time she reached high school, she was focused on her studies. Her mother kept her on track by enforcing a strict code. There was no hanging out late at night, and she had to hit the books after school. The formula worked. In two weeks, Berger will be the valedictorian of her graduating class at Science High School.
"The most important thing is to learn from your environment, but don't become your environment," she said.
Another scholarship winner, Nyomi Gonzalez, also overcame great obstacles. When she was 4 months old, her father noticed that her eyes were clouding up.
Concerned, he sought medical help, and doctors determined Nyomi had glaucoma. Over time, her eyesight worsened and it was painful for her to stare at the blackboard for too long.
Still, Gonzalez, who is heading to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, is grateful.
"It could've been worse," she said. "I could've been blind."
Focus is what helped Kristina Salvatoriello, the other scholarship winner for overcoming adversity, get through school. Like Berger, Salvatoriello bounced like a pinball to different homes throughout her childhood. Her mother struggled to make ends meet, and constantly uprooted the family when money was tight.
In the eighth grade, she lived in what she described as a dirty trailer for three to four months. Switching schools so frequently made it difficult for her to ace her classes. But Salvatoriello, an aspiring math teacher, was determined to survive. Last night, she walked away with a $1,000 scholarship check in hand. She will attend Kean University in the fall.
"I wanted to make it," she said. "I did what I had to do."
Newark students receive recognition, and assistance, from program
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
BY KATIE WANG
Star-Ledger Staff
Throughout her life, Lavada Berger moved from one home to another, swept by the currents of inner-city poverty.
She was born in a housing project in Newark, lived in Irvington and East Orange and, at one point, even lived in a shelter for battered women with her mother, who was escaping an abusive relationship. Next fall, Berger will make another move -- this time to Cambridge, Mass., where she will be part of the freshman class at Harvard University.
Berger was one of 39 standout scholars recognized last night at the Project Pride scholarship dinner in Newark. The program, now in its 27th year, gives scholarships to Newark students to use toward their college education. Star-Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg, who was born and raised in Newark, started the program.
"The city as it was then -- was one of America's great cities," Izenberg said. "But because it's changed, there's no reason that these kids can't have the same opportunity I had."
In addition to giving scholarships, Project Pride also tutors high school students for the SAT, nurtures gifted students in after- school programs and teaches discipline to thousands of children through its sports programs.
Last night, Izenberg handed out scholarship checks ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 at Don Pepe Restaurant in Newark. Christopher Phillips, a Seton Hall Prep student who will attend Columbia University in the fall, won the $10,000 scholarship prize.
Berger collected two scholarships totaling $8,000. The 17-year-old plans to study finance and education at Harvard. The oldest of five children, Berger is the first in her family to attend college.
"I went through a lot of tough times," she said.
But she saw it through, thanks to mentors and teachers who took an interest in her future. The turning point, she said, was in the sixth grade. By then, her mother found a steady job and the family was no longer moving around as much. Teachers took notice of her and kept tabs on her.
By the time she reached high school, she was focused on her studies. Her mother kept her on track by enforcing a strict code. There was no hanging out late at night, and she had to hit the books after school. The formula worked. In two weeks, Berger will be the valedictorian of her graduating class at Science High School.
"The most important thing is to learn from your environment, but don't become your environment," she said.
Another scholarship winner, Nyomi Gonzalez, also overcame great obstacles. When she was 4 months old, her father noticed that her eyes were clouding up.
Concerned, he sought medical help, and doctors determined Nyomi had glaucoma. Over time, her eyesight worsened and it was painful for her to stare at the blackboard for too long.
Still, Gonzalez, who is heading to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, is grateful.
"It could've been worse," she said. "I could've been blind."
Focus is what helped Kristina Salvatoriello, the other scholarship winner for overcoming adversity, get through school. Like Berger, Salvatoriello bounced like a pinball to different homes throughout her childhood. Her mother struggled to make ends meet, and constantly uprooted the family when money was tight.
In the eighth grade, she lived in what she described as a dirty trailer for three to four months. Switching schools so frequently made it difficult for her to ace her classes. But Salvatoriello, an aspiring math teacher, was determined to survive. Last night, she walked away with a $1,000 scholarship check in hand. She will attend Kean University in the fall.
"I wanted to make it," she said. "I did what I had to do."