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.

2024-2025 First Literacy Scholars

Below is a list of the 2024-2025 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

Sabrina Alonso, Mount Wachusett Community College

Nicole Archibald, Bunker Hill Community College

Safia Bentabet, Quincy College

Khadija Charafi Maechaoui, Mount Wachusett Community College

Ana Garcia, Bunker Hill Community College

Wenley Jean Pierre, UMass Boston

Kamrunnaher, Quincy College

Sheila Ngum, Northern Essex Community College

Andres Perez, Bunker Hill Community College

Erika Ramos, Bunker Hill Community College

Mury Maxwell Saintil Louis, Roxbury Community College

Damitu Tura, Bunker Hill Community College

Nancary Ventura, Bunker Hill Community College

Angel Weeks, Bunker Hill Community College

Continuing Scholars

Fernanda Bijos, Bunker Hill Community College

Fougere Desjardins, Bunker Hill Community College

Dania Farah, Middlesex Community College

Khadija Koutani, Bunker Hill Community College

Luis Marin, Bunker Hill Community College

Bismillah Mohammadi, UMass Boston

Jorge Enrique Nunez, Bunker Hill Community College

Diana Paulino Castillo, Bunker Hill Community College

Valentina Ribas, Lesley University

Anny Sanchez, Bunker Hill Community College

Bintou Sanor, Bunker Hill Community College

Christele Nastasha St Jules, Bunker Hill Community College

Past Scholars

2023-2024 Scholars

Shermin Akther
Kayla Andino
Josephine Blankson
Luggens Casseus
Lesly Cenat⁴
Joshalyn Darden
Dania Farah
Jenny Lorena Guerrero Zambrano²
Rodieka Herah
Natalie Kowalski
Zhongwei Lin
Karen Bibiana Mantilla Forigua
Luis Marin
Cristhian Marin Gil
Bismillah Mohammadi
Enrique Nunez¹
Bintou Sanor
Michaela Singletary
Dihelin Agoda Tandjawa
Sonia Junia Albino
Fernande Antoine
Brima Bangura
Viktorija Barone
Fernanda Bijos
Katia De Abreu
Yane Chen
Kevin del Rosario
Fougere Desjardins
Jouveline Desronvil
Kherrina Francis
Khadija Koutani
Djemsson Laurent
Qiaomin Li
Juan Luna
Hajarah Nakalyango
Bushrah Namirmu
Diana Georgina Paulino Castillo⁵
Diana Rawana
Valentina Ribas³
Anny Sanchez
Nicole Simeon
Christele St Jules
Maria Gorete Veader

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

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