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Latino U College Access Honors 5 Westchester Students

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Latino U College Access honored five exemplary Westchester students who overcame personal and financial obstacles and will be the first in their families to go to college at a graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 31.

Latino U honorees join Michael Kaplowitz, chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Westchester Hispanic Advisory Committee, at a graduation celebration held Saturday, May 31, at Sam's of Gedney Way in White Plains.

Latino U honorees join Michael Kaplowitz, chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Westchester Hispanic Advisory Committee, at a graduation celebration held Saturday, May 31, at Sam's of Gedney Way in White Plains.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Latino U honorees pose with Michael Kaplowitz, who presented them with a certificate of merit.

Latino U honorees pose with Michael Kaplowitz, who presented them with a certificate of merit.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Student honoree Sandra Camila Rosado, a Valhalla High School senior who has been accepted to Boston University, thanks her family and Latino U for its programs and resources.

Student honoree Sandra Camila Rosado, a Valhalla High School senior who has been accepted to Boston University, thanks her family and Latino U for its programs and resources.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Iris T. Pagan, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau, makes remarks.

Iris T. Pagan, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau, makes remarks.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, founder and executive director of Latino U College Access, and Iris T. Pagan, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau, display a Westchester County proclamation.

Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, founder and executive director of Latino U College Access, and Iris T. Pagan, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau, display a Westchester County proclamation.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Tompkins Mahopac Bank was an honors sponsor of the Latino U College Access graduation celebration.

Tompkins Mahopac Bank was an honors sponsor of the Latino U College Access graduation celebration.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Sarah Reingold reads a congratulatory letter from the Office of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Sarah Reingold reads a congratulatory letter from the Office of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The students honored were Andres Castillo Quintana, of Mount Kisco and Fox Lane High School, who will attend Princeton University; Johana Ovillo of Ossining and Ossining High School, who will enroll at Lehman College; Johnny Beltran Mogrovejo of Bedford Hills and Fox Lane High School, who will attend Iona College; Isaac Tejeira, of Ossining, who has attended Westchester Community College for two years and will enroll at Cornell University; and Sandra Camila Rosado, of North White Plains, who will attend Boston University. 

The five students were matched with volunteer college coaches and mentors in their senior year to guide them through the process of applying to college. 

Mentors were community volunteers from Westchester who were trained by Dunbar Educational Consultants, a partnership that provides Latino U and the volunteers with professional insight and support.

Seventy guests attended the celebration, including Michael Kaplowitz, chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Westchester Hispanic Advisory Committee; Iris Pagan, executive director of the Westchester Youth Bureau; and Sarah Reingold, representative of the Office of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

“On behalf of the entire Westchester County Board of Legislators, we are really impressed with the work of Latino U," said Kaplowitz, who presented each student with a certificate of merit. "These five students will make Westchester a better place. When we in government talk about the ‘next generation’ making the world a better place, we talk about education. If we ever hope to have a better outcome, start with a better input, and that is what education is all about.”

For more information, visit website www.latinoUcollege.org or email info@latinoUaccess.

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