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ASPIRA Inc., of New Jersey hosted its very first Zoom scholarship awards ceremony, honoring nine 2020 graduating students from the cities of Newark, Cateret and Paterson, NJ. The event kicked off with some inspirational words by the Executive Director Carlos Valentin, Jr., who emphasized the importance of their accomplishments, in addition to addressing the current state of affairs and the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Immediately afterwards, Sara Pena, Director of the Department of the State's Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development, along with Dr. Charles Menifeld, Dean of the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University–Newark, shared some inspirational words that spoke to the importance of the students finding voice as they matriculated into higher education. Both stressed that the students' leadership, insights and perspective are in need more than ever, and that their voices had the potential to make great change locally, domestically and globally. Each student was allowed to share a few words on how ASPIRA impacted their lives, and the event culminated into a heartfelt speech given by Aspiranté Ashley Laveriano. The students and their families were then invited to ASPIRA's offices, where they were given their certificates and surprised with free, professional graduation photos, a Chromebook and laptop bag, along with a $25 Amazon gift card. To see the students' reactions when they were awarded their gifts and more photos, visit our Facebook, and YoutubeInstagram pages! FACEBOOK: INSTAGRAM:
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