First Literacy Scholars

Since the Scholarship Program was initiated in 1990, First Literacy has awarded over 600 scholarships. The adult learners who are awarded scholarships come from a wide variety of backgrounds and often face numerous hurdles, but they are united in their desire to improve their lives through the power of education. Many are the first in their families to attend college. Most are heads of households with financial and care-giving responsibilities, and many hold more than one job.

Each scholar has a unique story and a goal they are striving to achieve. We are proud to support these scholars in their journey.

 2023-2024 First Literacy Scholars

Below is a list of the 2023-2024 First Literacy scholars and the schools they will be attending.

First Literacy also awards special scholarships each year to deserving adult learners.

  • The Mayor Thomas Menino Scholarship1 was created in 2014 to honor Mayor Menino’s commitment to adult literacy education and the potential of all students.
  • The William Berman Scholarship2 recognizes Mr. Berman’s years of dedicated service to First Literacy and his love of learning throughout his life.
  • The Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship3  was created in memory of Tom Brunnick, who immigrated to the United States in 1921, escaping poverty and civil war in his home country of Ireland in search of a better life. He worked tirelessly to pursue his own dreams, and was ultimately able to raise five children and buy a house in his adopted home city of Boston.
  • The Jeffrey P. Beale Scholarship4 was established in 2022 by First Literacy’s Board of Directors, in gratitude to Jeff’s many years of service as Board Chair and to adult learners throughout Massachusetts; the scholarship recognizes a scholar who has been a significant contributor in their community.
  • The First Literacy Board of Directors’ Scholarship5 is awarded at the discretion of the Board as recognition of an individual’s or organization’s extraordinary contribution to the success of First Literacy’s mission.

New Scholars

Shermin Akther – Quincy College

Kayla Andino – North Shore Community College

Josephine Blankson – Mount Wachusett Community College

Luggens Casseus – Mount Wachusett Community College

Lesly Cenat – Bunker Hill Community College4

Joshalyn Darden – Bunker Hill Community College

Dania Farah – Middlesex Community College

Jenny Lorena Guerrero Zambrano – Bunker Hill Community College2

Rodieka Herah – Bunker Hill Community College

Natalie Kowalski – North Shore Community College

Zhongwei Lin – Bunker Hill Community College

Karen Bibiana Mantilla Forigua – Bunker Hill Community College

Luis Marin – Bunker Hill Community College

Cristhian Marin Gil – Bunker Hill Community College

Bismillah Mohammadi – Roxbury Community College

Enrique​ Nunez – Bunker Hill Community College1

Bintou Sanor – Bunker Hill Community College

Michaela Singletary – Quincy College

Continuing Scholars

Dihelin Agoda Tandjawa – Quinsigamond Community College

Sonia Junia Albino – Bunker Hill Community College

Fernande Antoine – Bunker Hill Community College

Brima Bangura – Labouré College

Viktorija Barone – Bunker Hill Community College

Fernanda Bijos- Bunker Hill Community College

Katia De Abreu – Bunker Hill Community College

Yane Chen – Bunker Hill Community College

Kevin del Rosario – Bunker Hill Community College

Fougere Desjardins – Bunker Hill Community College

Jouveline Desronvil – Bunker Hill Community College

Kherrina Francis – Southern New Hampshire University

Khadija Koutani – Bunker Hill Community College

Djemsson Laurent – Bunker Hill Community College

Qiaomin Li – Bunker Hill Community College

Juan Luna – Mount Wachusett Community College

Hajarah Nakalyango – Mount Wachusett Community College

Bushrah Namirmu – Mount Wachusett Community College

Diana Georgina Paulino Castillo – Bunker Hill Community College5

Diana Rawana – North Shore Community College

Valentina Ribas – Bunker Hill Community College3

Anny Sanchez – Bunker Hill Community College

Nicole Simeon – Bunker Hill Community College

Christele St Jules – Bunker Hill Community College

Maria Gorete Veader – Bunker Hill Community College

Past Scholars

2022-2023 Scholars

Dihelin Esther Agoda Tandjawa
Sonia Junia Albino
Fernande Antoine
Catheline Averdieu
Brima Bangura 3
Viktorija Barone
Fernanda Bijos
Alesy Borges
Yane Chen
Katia De Abreu
Kevin Del rosario
Fougere Desjardins
Jouveline Desronvil
Julia Dupere
Kherrina Francis
Clarita Garcia
Gabriela Garcia
Khadija Koutani
Djemsson Laurent
Qiaomin Li
Juan Luna2
Hajarah Nakalyango
Bushrah Namirimu 4
Diana Georgina Paulino Castillo
Diana Rawana
Kimberly Saldana
Anny Sanchez1
Nicole Simeon
Christele St Jules
Lilian Thimotti
Maria Gorete Veader
Yves Verneret

Special Scholarships:
Mayor Thomas Menino Scholarship1
William Berman Scholarship2
Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship3

2021-2022 Scholars

Jocelyne Alleyne
Brima Bangura3
Viktorija Barone
Diana Georgina Paulino Castillo
Yane Chen
Katia De Abreue
Julia Dupere
Kherrina Titiana R.O. Francis
Gabriela Garcia
Marie Gerty Marius
Christian Gonzalez
Maria Gorete Veader
Doris Gutierrez
Joel Gutierrez
Ephraim Jean
Damas Joseph
Khadija Koutani1
Qiaomin Li
Thays Lobo
Edith Lorfils
Bushrah Namirimu2
Karen Preciado
Mark Ralto
Valentina Ramos
Lilian Rodrigues
Ariela Santos
Maria Celia Sarmiento
Yves Verneret
Hanae Zaidi

Special Scholarships:
Mayor Thomas Menino Scholarship1
William Berman Scholarship2
Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship3

2020-2021 Scholars

Jocelyne Alleyne
Brima Bangura
Edly Basile
Rosene Benoit Volcy
Yane Chen
Katia De Abreu
Julia Dupere
Adriana Echeverria
Gabriela Garcia
Julio Cesar Grimaldo
Joel Gutierrez
Kernsly Joseph
Marie Joseph
Thays Lobo
Edith Lorfils
Javier Matos
Thi Kim Phung Nguyen
Karen Preciado
Lilian Rodrigues
Ariela Santos
Aurie Judith Serrano
Nicole Simeon
Jennifer Torres
Luis Urbina

2019-2020 Scholars
Jocelyn Alleyne
Judelande Antoine
Stephan Augustin
Geraldine Calderon
Julia Dupere
Adriana Echeverria
Axel Ellis
Gabriela Garcia
Livanny Gonzalez
Marie Joseph
Edith Lorfils
Izabella Marques
Tatiana Jean Philippe
Karen Preciado
Alexandre Santos
Ariela Santos
Oumaima Segmaoui
Vu Tran
Luis Urbina
Yves Verneret
2018-2019 Scholars
Dora Ajanel
Jocelyn Alleyne
Kamala Areesamarn
Dimas Barrera
Priscilla Chan
Sherita Dawson
Diandra Drivas
Adriana Echeverria
Girlene Green
Marie Joseph
Eliene Lima da Silva
Edith Lorfils
Patrick Mbanga
Rasha Habis Obyat
Karen Preciado
Marie Regine Paul
Alexandre Santos
Oumaima Segmaoui
Vu Tran
Jennifer Urrego
Yves Verneret
Junying Zhu

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