David E. – CSFP Scholar from 2007-2011 at St. Martin of Tours Elementary School
David knew he wanted to be a doctor when he was 12 years old. “As none of my family members are doctors, this was a lofty goal. The education that I received from St. Martin of Tours Elementary School thanks to the CSFP scholarship, provided me with a strong foundation for my future education.” David said his honors math class at St. Martin of Tours prepared him for Honors and AP courses at Archbishop Ryan High School where he graduated Valedictorian. His early education gave him what he calls “the academic toolset” he needed to successfully gain admission to Princeton University. David is studying Psychology/Pre-Med at Princeton in the class of 2023 as an ACES Scholar, which provides early assurance admission to Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He recognizes the importance of service to others as a college advisor to low-income high school students applying to competitive colleges and as a mental health crisis hotline volunteer.
Paige H. – CSFP Scholar from 2008-11 at St. Malachy Catholic School
Paige said her time at St. Malachy Catholic School “was a very significant piece of my life and I still carry what I have learned from this school every day.” She said she developed “grit, optimism, and the true definition of hard work” while attending her CSFP partner school. “Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to gain these traits at such a young age!” Paige attended Kipp Dubois Collegiate Academy and graduated from Dover High School. As she studies for a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Delaware, she envisions becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. She earned distinction on the Dean’s list, and currently works as a direct support professional at a group home.
Ekram I. – CSFP Scholar from 2008 – 2015 at The Islamic Education School (T.I.E.S)
Ekram credited TIES with providing a foundation based in her family’s religious values in addition to academics. As a first-generation college student, she shared the character building and lessons in self-discipline and patience at TIES provided a strong pathway to graduate from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science and study Pre-med at the University of Pennsylvania. Ekram is a junior at Penn and said she plans to become a psychiatrist “because mental health is vital, and more Black doctors need to be in this field.” Looking back at her time with CSFP, and how it has influenced her life today, Ekram said, “I still practice one of my favorite mottos: leave a place better than you found it. This encourages me to make the world a better place and constantly think about how I can contribute to the betterment of my community. Without CSFP, I would not have attended TIES and had these pillars of good character instilled in me.”
Madeleine A. – CSFP Scholar from 2007-2011 at William Penn Charter School
Reflecting on her four years as a CSFP Scholar, Madeleine said, “I am so thankful for the scholarship CSFP provided me with, allowing me to attend William Penn Charter School during my most impressionable years because the education I received continues to resonate within my young adult life.” As a Political Science major at Rowan College who interns at the U.S. Department of State in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and plans to attend law school, Madeleine credited her scholarship and time at Penn Charter as the reason that she joined AmeriCorps City Year, started her own charity, Paws for Pets, and prepared meals at local food banks. “One of the core values of a Penn Charter education is the institution of service to youth and the community. This value is one that continues to flourish within my own personal ideologies and goals as I find my passion.” This December, Madeleine will complete her associate degree and will transfer to Rutgers New Brunswick to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in Political Science before applying to law school.
Santiago V. – CSFP Scholar from 2009-2012 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic School
Santiago expressed his gratitude to CSFP for his scholarship to St. Martin of Tours School that eased “the financial burden my family had to take on in paying for a private grade school.” Santiago graduated from Father Judge High School, and interned with CSFP to help increase bilingual outreach, collect family and student data, and evaluate results of telemarketing campaigns that made him “a better young professional”. He said his education “has been the rocket fuel that has propelled me to accomplish my dreams” as he prepared to study marketing in his career. Santiago recognized that his strong educational foundation enabled him to study communication with a minor in business administration at Eastern Connecticut State University as he was selected out of 1,500 applicants for the USS Scholarship based on academic performance. During his time at Eastern Connecticut State, Santiago served as a marketing intern for Firstrust Bank, dedicated his time as chapter president of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honors society, volunteered on ecological clean-up projects, helped local elderly residents near the university, and worked as an assistant in the President’s office with alumni and visitors. Since graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2020, Santiago works in marketing at Temple University. Santiago said of CSFP, “Whether it [was] making me a recipient of their scholarships or an intern at their South Broad office, I am eternally grateful. The CSFP family holds a special place in my heart.” Santiago plans to attend graduate school at St. Joseph’s University.
Nzinga S. – CSFP Scholar from 2012-2015 at Friends School Haverford
Nzinga spent her middle school years attending Friends School Haverford with her CSFP scholarship where she discovered her “love for education on the pages of ‘Why a Caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou” as well as poetry and research. At Friends School Haverford, she learned how to “give presentations, write, play music, complete community service and debate” which pushed her to attend an unconventional high school. “My grandmother, an educator, always taught me that knowledge is free, but my family knew that education in the public school system was limited. Thus, a scholarship was the best option to help my family afford a private school education for me.” Nzinga enrolled at Science Leadership Academy, the only project-based high school in Pennsylvania, and joined the debate team and the Speech League of Philadelphia. She attended Michelle Obama’s Beating the Odds Summit, which welcomes college-bound students, celebrates their accomplishments and helps them transition to college. Nzinga was accepted to Guilford College in North Carolina on full scholarship where she continues advocacy work while helping other local high school students apply to college as she finishes her degree in community and justice studies. She completed community service at an elementary school and a high school for children of immigrant parents and served as the Black Student Union Vice President. She interned at J.P. Morgan & Chase to help Black-owned banks market themselves. This year, she will graduate a year early from Guilford and will embark on her next journey to graduate school. “My education has shaped me into an advocate, a leader and a scholar.”