Rivera Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Irvine, California

After School Intern 2012-2014, Summer Camp Counselor 2011-2014 and Camper 2006-2007, Youth Committee Leader 2012-2014

Kennedy High School 2014 and University of California Irvine 2018

It might be a little early for me to say that I have been "successful" but The Rivera Memorial Foundation has impacted my life a lot and I wanted to let people know. My experience with the foundation began when I was very young and enrolled as a camper. With their daily adventures and programs I thoroughly enjoyed myself knew and wanted to be a part of this when I was older. When I was a freshman in high school I volunteered as a camp counselor and my sophomore year I became an intern for the After School program, as well as starting up their youth committee that was in dormancy. Throughout high school I continued to be a part of their programs, and grew as a person. I gained patience, knowledge, experience, as well as a sense of citizenship within my community. Their scholarship allowed me to go to one of the best schools for my major, Computer Science and Engineering! This foundation improved and shaped my life, as it has with countless others. I love and miss you all!

New York, New York

Southend Cheerleader, Miss Rivera & Hughes Memorial Park 2002, Scholarship Recipient, Board Member

University of Connecticut, B.A. & UN Mandated University for Peace and Conflict Studies, M.A.

The Rivera Memorial Foundation is so much more than just a community organization, it is a beacon of hope and serves as a light to guide the youth to achieve their fullest potential. For me, I owe a debt of intense gratitude to the founders and numerous volunteers who helped to challenge me to become more than what I saw possible. I began as a Southend Cheerleader and, through the encouragement of empowered women around me, participated in the RMF Pageant. Not only did they literally teach me to smile, but helped to light the essence of true confidence and self-esteem that made the smile genuine. The experience of public speaking, of respecting both myself and those around me, and learning how to carry myself with pride and class have been the foundation upon which my career and life experiences have been built. Further, their financial support helped me to earn a dual Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut in Women's Studies and Legal Studies, graduating Magna Cum Laude and being inducted into the elite Phi Beta Kappa society. This prepared me to serve our great state of Connecticut, where I advocated for women's inclusion and equality at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women for over two years. My quest for adventure and travel eventually brought me to Central America, where I earned a Master's Degree in International Law and Human Rights from the only United Nations Mandated University dedicated solely to the study of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Our leader and former Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Susan E. Rice afforded me the opportunity to carry out my internship under the tutelage of her and her esteemed staff. I then went on to serve four years at the United Nations in New York City, for the World Health Organization's Representative from the Region of the Americas, where I advocated for healthy lifestyle changes in the Western Hemisphere; which set a precedent for positive and sustainable change in the advancement of global public health and universal human rights. I encourage all the youth to look deep within themselves to find their true passion, while understanding and respecting the sacrifices made to give them the life and freedom they enjoy. I encourage them to dream bigger and urge them to be more than what they see and to never doubt the unique gifts they have to offer to this world. I remain deeply connected to the well-being and sustainable growth of the Rivera Memorial Foundation and to the legacy with which it was founded. A heartfelt thank you to the numerous volunteers, supporters, cheerleaders – both with and without pom poms – and to all the fellow participants who have built this Organization over the past 20 years. You are appreciated.

Waterbury, CT

Southend Cheerleader, Miss Rivera & Hughes Memorial Park, Volunteer

Post University & University of Bridgeport

At the age of 6 I started to participate in the Rivera and Hughes pageants. Which then became scholarship pageants. Thanks to this foundation I was afford many opportunities to pursue a career in psychology with a concentration in child development. I continue my studies all awhile working for the community that has always given to me. I am a Parent Educator and Postive Youth Developer for the Wilson Family Resource Center. The family resource centers are housed in poverty area school to serve the central location with resources such as nutrition, clothing , housing efforts, parent education and programs developed to enrich the students. The parent education program is where I take the opportunity to give back to my community my knowledge and skills. If it wasn't for the Rivera Memorial Foundation I would not had the chance to attend college and continue my educational goals. The foundation help me gain knowledge on how to work with the public for the betterment of the community.

Connecticut

Scholarship Recipient

Crosby Class of 2003/Southern CT State University Class of 2007

When I was in high school I was blessed to be a recipient of the RMF scholarship. I grew up in a single parent home and my mother always managed to make due on one income. I had eagerly applied to UCONN and was so excited to be accepted. I had been granted scholarships and grants but unfortunately not enough to cover the full cost of tuition. My mother just couldn't work her magic this time, she simply could not afford to cover the difference. I attended my second choice SCSU instead and the funds I received from RMF covered all of my books Freshman year. It was such a blessing. We were then able to have an idea of what the added expenses were going to be and budget for them accordingly. I was hired by the State of Connecticut the year I graduated. Each year, I make sure to either attend or donate towards the scholarship banquet as a way to give back and give thanks for what I received. The work they have done and continue to do within our community should be applauded at every opportunity.

Maryland

Southend Cheerleader, Summer Camp, After School Program, Scholarhsip Pageant Queen 1999-2007

WAMS 2007

These programs have instilled a lot of character and motivation in me. I am currently serving in the US Army. I owe a lot to my mom and to those who pushed me to great things with my life. They kept me out of trouble by giving me something positive to do everyday.”