The group of 18 students is a beneficiary of the Benito “Benny” Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth, an initiative that is already accepting applications for the 2023-2024 period.
San Juan - Students benefiting from the Benito “Benny” Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth, had the opportunity to exchange experiences and accomplishments with representatives of the Amgen Foundation as part of its support for the philanthropic initiative, which since 2019 has boosted the careers of 30 local students. For 2023-2024, applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by August 18.
The Benito “Benny” Massó Scholarship Fund provides the opportunity to support young people from 16 to 25 years of age, Afro-descendants and residents of the municipality of Loíza with economic need, who demonstrate leadership and interest in pursuing associate, technical or vocational degrees; certifications or baccalaureate degrees, in educational institutions in Puerto Rico.
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, president and chief executive officer of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR), where the fund is established, said that “we are stimulating the growth of that extraordinary resource that Puerto Rico has, which is its people, and no one should be left behind. Benny Massó was a person who fought very hard as a psychologist at the organizational level, so that all of us would be represented, so that all of us would be at the table.
At the event, the students -who received scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic period- interacted directly with representatives of the Amgen Foundation and learned about the operation of the biomanufacturing company, as well as the impact it has on Puerto Rico and its patients around the world.
Aixa Caballer Cruz, leader of the Amgen Foundation and director of Corporate Affairs for Amgen Puerto Rico, emphasized that, “at the Amgen Foundation we promote a culture of inclusion and social justice so that our students and future professional leaders have all the opportunities we can provide for their academic and professional development to reach their full potential within their communities.”.
The group of scholarship recipients is currently studying in different academic areas, including STEM disciplines such as biology, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, and other academic disciplines of importance for the socioeconomic development of Puerto Rico.
Caballer Cruz added, “The Amgen Foundation and Amgen Puerto Rico are committed to promoting social support in the communities of Puerto Rico.
One of the scholarship recipients who was present at the activity, Jesuelys M. Ortiz Clemente, 20, said she was pleased that both philanthropic entities support the talent of young people in Loiceño. “It is a privilege that the donors and the Community Foundation have decided to focus on the community of Loiceño, which is often marginalized. It is nice that they have decided to support young Loiceños,” said Ortiz, who is a social work student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, and who will begin her fourth year of study in August.
He also highlighted the opportunity to share with other scholarship recipients, as well as with Colón Tarrats; the Amgen Foundation and Amgen Puerto Rico team, composed of Caballer and Krizia Ortiz, senior associate of Corporate Affairs at Amgen Puerto Rico; and Simón Martínez, program director of Nuestra Escuela, in charge of mentoring the group of scholarship recipients, thanks to the Peter Alfond Foundation.
“It was a very nice experience because I had never had the opportunity to receive a scholarship and meet the people behind it, those faces behind it that are contributing to education, as well as to know what motivated them to be part of this philanthropic action,” said the young woman.
The Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth is part of a racial and social justice strategy that the FCPR has been developing since 2015 to contribute to the integral wellbeing of children, youth and families of this town. This was established at the FCPR with initial support from the FCPR Board of Directors, and at its inception received contributions from. Marguerite Casey Foundation through Hispanics in Philanthropy. Its continuity has been possible thanks to the contribution of the Circle of Friends of Benny Massó, Amgen Foundation, Peter Alfond Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, among other entities.
In the case of the young university student, the scholarship allowed her to “eliminate some of the stress of the financial aspect,” and focus on her studies. “They are making a difference, not only in our lives, but in the reality of Puerto Rico and the world, and it is an investment that will be seen in the near future,” she said.
The group is composed of 18 students. Below are their names and the careers they are pursuing: Xander Y. Birriel Lacen, nursing; Ramses Calderon Calderon; biomedical engineering; Nayelis M. Campechano Carrasquillo, K-3 preschool and elementary education; Quiarismary Cirino Cirino, forensic science; Marelis Davila Rivera, nursing; Andrea M. Diaz Ayala, wildlife management; Kelyanis M. Diaz Ayala, pharmacy technician; Rigchel A. Diaz Clemente, physical sciences; Gabriel A. Guerra Quiñones, electricity; Brayan M. López Ramos, auto mechanics; Jesuelys M. Ortiz Clemente, social work; Wilmary Ortiz Pérez, criminal justice with concentration in forensic investigation; Julianys M. Osorio López, biology; Nomarys L. Osorio Parrilla, business administration with concentration in management; Gabriela N. Pastrana Cirino, preschool assistant; Jamiel A. Rivera Clemente, civil engineering; Joewy A. Sánchez Rodríguez, auto mechanics; and Daylianys M. Santiago Andino, nursing.
The Fund offers scholarships of $1,500 each and the call for applications for the 2023-2024 academic year is now available. Visit the website www.fcpr.org in the section Request and look for the 2023 guide. You can also access it through this link (https://shorturl.at/juZ14). The deadline to apply is Friday, August 18, 2023.
If you would like to contribute to this initiative, please write to becasydonativos@fcpr.org or donate to the Benito “Benny” Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth in this link (https://www.fcpr.org/donations/donate-now/).
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation aims to promote excellence in science education and inspire the development of a new generation of innovators, as well as to invest in strengthening the communities where Amgen associates work and live. The Foundation has donated over $250 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations. The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to tomorrow's scientists through proprietary programs such as Amgen Scholars, Amgen Biotech Experience and Amgen Teach. For more information about the Amgen Foundation and its programs, visit. www.amgeninspires.com or follow them on Twitter at @AmgenFoundation.
About the Puerto Rico Community Foundation | The Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization with a 38-year history of collaboration with donors and communities, with the aim of developing the latter's capabilities through the increase of community capital. It is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America and the only one of its kind in Puerto Rico. Its current programmatic focuses promote access to water and energy; racial and gender equity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); in addition, the activation of economic development, among others. It is recognized as an 1101.1 organization under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Federal Internal Revenue Code.
Contact : Community Foundation of Puerto Rico : Libni Sanjurjo : FCPR Communications Officer : (787) 240-0130 lsanjurjo@fcpr.org | Mary Ann Gabino | Senior Vice President| R-492.
Amgen Puerto Rico & Amgen Foundation Media Contact: Ingerman Martinez, 787.370.9086.ingerman@pressprwire.com