Scholars
Keeper of the Dream Zachary Jones
Latrell Tyson
Zachary Jones is a sophomore French Adolescence Education major with minors in Spanish and International Studies. This past summer, Zach spent five weeks in Oaxaca, Mexico at an immersive Spanish language institute. Aside from attending classes, he taught English in the indigenous village of Santo Tomás Jalieza and traveled throughout the state of Oaxaca. Zach is very active on campus and serves as a Global Student Ambassador, Study Abroad Ambassador, Vice President of International Club, and Secretary of Fredonia’s Model European Union. This semester, he is serving as the department’s Teaching Assistant for French 116 and works part-time in the Fredonia Learning Center teaching French and Spanish. He plans to pursue a career in foreign language education, education administration, international law or diplomacy. Zach is extremely grateful to be a part of the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership Program, as it has allowed him to meet other students who share his love of multiculturalism and commitment to leadership roles at Fredonia.
Maria Quintero Maria Quintero is a Molecular Genetics major with a minor in Leadership Studies. She is from Long Island, New York. In high school she was part of National Honor Society and graduated with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. She volunteered at local beach clean ups, as well as tutoring younger students in her community. Here at Fredonia she has been a member of the Biology Club, Colleges Against Cancer, the Ski and Ride club and the Advanced Leadership Development program. This year, she plans on getting involved with all the research opportunities that are offered in her field. In the future she plans on going into a career in cancer research or genetic counseling. She is extremely thankful for being able to be a part of Keeper of the Dream and will take full advantage of all the opportunities and leadership roles presented to her through the program.
Marilia Riva Andrade
Marilia Riva Andrade is a first-year student in the Music Education major, with a concentration in Flute, from Suffern, N.Y. In high school, she was extremely active in her school’s music department, participating in ensembles such as symphonic band, symphony orchestra, women’s chorus, select choir, pit orchestra, and marching band, in which she served as drum major her junior and senior years. She was also selected to be an alternate for the All-State Symphonic Band, as well as participated in the Area All-State Band and Orchestra and All County Band through NYSSMA all throughout high school. It was through all these activities that she discovered her passion for teaching music. She was also president of her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance. Academically, Marilia participated in many honors societies, including National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, History Honor Society, and Tri-M Honor Society. She was also awarded AP Scholar with Distinction two years in a row. In her time at Fredonia, she plans on participating in National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Woodwind Association, New York State Band Director’s Association, Pep Band, and Colleges Against Cancer. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Keeper of the Dream program and its support of her goal of being a music teacher.
Latrell Tyson is a sophomore Business Management major with a minor in Communication from Cheektowaga, N.Y., who is pursuing a career in Human Resources. Latrell was part of the Business Club, Black Student Union (BSU), and Brother to Brother freshman year while also receiving Dean’s List recognition for both semesters. This year, Latrell is part of the Black Student Union, Transfer Student Organization, and serves as the secretary on the e-board for the American Marketing Association (AMA). The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship has added to Latrell’s motivation to achieve as much as possible. Latrell is grateful to be a Keeper of the Dream Scholar and looks forward to continuing his involvement within the campus and community.
Ernesto Mercado Irizarry
Ernesto Mercado Irizarry is a sophomore dual major in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies, with minors in Latino Studies and Theatre. During his first year, he was involved with clubs such as Pride Alliance, Interactive Theatre Society and Anime Club, as well as the undertaking of his independent study, Queer Fredonia. This year, he has taken a more academic focus, as he prepares to study abroad in Argentina next year. Other plans for this year include working at a local health care provider as an interpreter, as well as focusing on bettering himself to become the leader and exemplary student that the Keeper of the Dream scholarship program drives him to be.
Thank you, We would like to thank all of the sponsors and donors of the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership Program for their generosity.
Buffalo Bills M&T Bank The Walt Disney Company Foundation David Carnahan Maytum Family Fredonia College Foundation
Center for Multicultural Affairs
E125 Thompson Hall • Fredonia, NY 14063 • T 716.673.3398 • F 716.673-3765
www.fredonia.edu/cma
Jonah Farnum
The Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA) at Fredonia is the principal foundation for
Jonah Farnum is a dual major in Music Education (voice) and Applied Music (horn). Now entering his junior year at Fredonia, he is overjoyed to be involved with several organizations around campus which include the a cappella groups Premium Blend and the Guerillas, as well as serving as the Secretary of Conductor’s Guild. In his previous years as a Fredonian, he has completed the Advanced Leadership Development Program as well as participated in the 2014 Rotary District 7090 Rotary Youth Leadership Award Program (RYLA). Jonah is sincerely grateful for all of the opportunities and support that being part of the Keeper of the Dream Program has given him.
multicultural programming and outreach on campus and in the surrounding community. The CMA strives to offer a safe educational and social space for all students on Fredonia’s campus. Through advocacy, education and program development, the CMA supports the creation of a diverse college community for the purpose of enhancing the student population’s academic development, level of cultural awareness, and commitment to promoting social justice. The Center for Multicultural Affairs is pleased to offer the Fredonia Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership Program. Each year, four first-year students receive this scholarship, established by the Division of Student Affairs. Keeper of the Dream scholarships are awarded competitively to entering first-year students based on high school achievement, community service and a demonstrated commitment to multiculturalism. Recipients are expected to demonstrate personal leadership and commitment to cultural pluralism and cross cultural dialogue while on campus. Each recipient qualified based on meeting one of the following criteria: top 10 percent of his/her graduating class, achieved SAT scores of at least 1100 (or 25 ACT), or maintained at least an 85 percent high school average. In addition, each recipient had a strong record of community service, and wrote an essay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for equality, including his/her own commitment to pursuing that dream.
Ilana Lieberman Washington D.C. Trip 2015
In addition to receiving a $4,000 scholarship, recipients participate in a rigorous and exciting Leadership Development Program while enrolled at Fredonia. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as the student maintains the required academic standards and housing requirements. For more information on how to apply, please contact the Center for Multicultural Affairs office at 716.673.3398.
Scholars
Keeper of the Dream Daniel Salazar
Daniel Salazar is a first-year student in the B.A. Animation and Illustration major with an interest in adopting a minor in French. During high school, he participated in cross country and track. Last March, he successfully organized a fundraiser for the Rochester Open Door Mission by incorporating the local video gaming community. Daniel graduated from his high school in Hilton, N.Y., with an International Baccalaureate diploma. Having traveled extensively before coming to Fredonia, Daniel finds inspiration for his art in human individuality and how it is impacted by culture. Striving for optimism and creativity, he welcomes challenges and opportunities as they come. He has already formed a part of the new Animation Club at Fredonia and hopes to hone skills in oration, voice acting, leadership, and foreign languages. Daniel wholeheartedly appreciates the opportunities given to him through the Keeper of the Dream program and believes that it will provide him with unprecedented support in reaching his goals and beyond.
Rafael Santiago
Rafael Santiago is a senior Sound Recording Technology and Applied Music (trombone) major from Middletown, NY. He is involved with the Tönmeister Association and Elevation church, the Fredonia Extension site on campus. He is also a nationally qualified diver for the Fredonia Men’s Swimming and Diving team. Recently he, along with a group of his peers, started a recording company named ArcAtlas. He now holds the position of Head Audio Engineer for the company.
Johanna Santiago
Johanna Santiago is a sophomore Biochemistry major with an interest in a Leadership Studies minor. She participates on the Women’s Lacrosse Team. She is eager to join many multicultural groups and clubs this year and is excited to widen her interests in becoming a student leader. Johanna is motivated to do well this semester and continue to have great experiences at Fredonia.
Ilana Lieberman is a junior dual major in B.F.A. Acting and Dance with a minor in Communications. Aside from being a Keeper of the Dream Scholar, she is a member of the Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality group on campus, the Performing Arts Company, the Riveters a cappella group, and the Judicial Board. During her freshman year she was cast in Fredonia’s production of “RENT” as Mimi Marquez, as well as the spring production of “Hair.” This year she will be performing in “12 Angry Jurors”, “Cabaret”, and the Fredonia Dance Ensemble.
Krystal P. Lebron
Melissa Goggin
Melissa Goggin is a junior Music Therapy major with a concentration in Voice and a minor in Psychology. Over the course of her years at Fredonia, she has been an active member of Music Therapy Club, ASL Club, the Honors Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Currently, she is on the e-board as treasurer for the Music Therapy Club and is a Resident Assistant in Hemingway Hall, the Honors House suite-style residential building. Going through the application process was something very outside of her comfort zone and she wouldn’t have been able to do such a thing without the constant support of the Keeper of the Dream program. Melissa is very grateful to the the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership Program, as the members are always a source of encouragement to do her best in everything she does and motivation when a little extra push is needed. The KOD members are her family away from home and the weekly meetings are often what she looks forward to most throughout the week.
Charlotte Passero
Charlotte Passero is a junior dual major in Accounting and Business Administration – Finance from Rochester, N.Y. Over the summer, she completed her first internship as an Accounting Clerk at Rochester Optical. This semester she is the Accounting Intern in the Office of Student Affairs. In the community, she is employed at the Campus and Community Children’s Center as an After School Club teacher and is the Student Representative on the Board of Directors for the Fredonia College Foundation. Charlotte is also very active in student organizations on campus. This is Charlotte’s second year serving as the Special Events Chair of Accounting Society where she has pioneered two new events. In addition, she is the Vice President of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honour Society, a new member of Golden Key Interational Honour Society, and part of the Leadership Team for the Honors Program. Charlotte is grateful for the invaluable opportunities provided through the Keeper of the Dream scholarship program.
Krystal P. Lebron is a senior Biology major with a minor in Chemistry from Dunkirk, N.Y. During her freshmen year, Krystal participated in the Day of Service where she went to the Science Museum of Buffalo and spoke to the Spanish community about the great achievements Spanish scientists have made to contribute to the science community. In addition, she was involved in Black Student Union, Latinos Unidos, and in Hall Council as a Social Chair and Secretary. She has also been involved in local community service events, such as school supply distribution events with her local church, creating Christmas boxes for needy kids all around the world, and assisting in the process of organizing events for children in the community. Krystal is a minister in her Christian youth group “Dabric.” For the past two summers Krystal has done an internship with the Caribbean Primate Research Center in Puerto Rico where she worked with Rhesus monkeys. While at Fredonia, Krystal has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta and Chi Alpha Epsilon national honor societies. She is in the Educational Development Program program on campus which motivates her to strive to succeed. In the future she plans to go into veterinary school and work for the government as a researcher. Being a Keeper of the Dream Scholar will allow her to continue to pursue her dreams and go above and beyond.
Thomas Marcote
Recently graduated from Long Beach High School with many International Baccalaureate Honors, He is extremely grateful for his opportunity to be a part of the Keeper of the Dream scholarship group. An AP Scholar, Thomas was also a multiple sport All-County athlete, and he hopes to bring that drive and passion to the club Lacrosse Team at Fredonia. He is anxious to show both his peers and elders all that he has to offer to the scholarship group, as well as others at Fredonia.
Caeli Faisst
Caeli Faisst is a senior Theatre Arts major and Creative Writing minor from Morrisville, NY. She is the current site coordinator of the Fredonia Extension of Elevation church on campus and is the Vice President of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre society’s Fredonia chapter. Other clubs she is involved in include Writer’s Ring and Alpha Lambda Delta, the national honor society. In the past, she has been a hired as a speaker on youth activism and has worked with Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids in Washington D.C. Recently, she was an Outreach Intern at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and has worked as the Media Intern at the Kingdom Bound Music Festival in Darien Lake, NY. For the last two years, Caeli has worked as the playwright intern at Venture Productions in Dunkirk, NY. Caeli is thankful for the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship for enabling her to actively pursue her love of writing and the arts at Fredonia.
Courtney J. Burris (C.J.)
C.J. is a sophomore Psychology major with a minor in Biology from Pleasant Valley N.Y. Throughout high school she was a four year honor roll student-athlete, competing in varsity track and field for her high school team. In high school she participated in other activities in her school and church that supported diversity such as multicultural dance, mission AHS and the Diversity Club. As a first-year student she was very involved in Psychology Club and the Fredonia Track and Field team. C.J. also developed a passion for creative writing which inspired her to write poetry for her church youth group at Full Gospel Center. This became a stepping stone for getting more involved in Writer’s Ring this year. C.J. has volunteered many times through the track team’s program with local elementary schools. She developed a love for service and realized her passion for the younger generations around her. C.J. strives to become a pediatric Occupational Therapist and work with disabled children. She is very grateful for the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship for enabling her to further pursue her love for science and passion for the young.
Caroline Bilotti
Caroline Bilotti is a first-year student in the Biology major from Spring Lake, N.J. Throughout high school she was a four year honor roll student-athlete competing in varsity swimming. She was Captain of the swim team during her senior year and President of the Photography Club. Caroline recognized her passion for science during a cat dissection in her high school anatomy and physiology class. As a result, she became an ambassador for her school’s Academy of Health Careers, affiliated with Rutgers University. At Fredonia, she is a member of the Blue Devils Swimming and Diving Team and hopes to become involved with Fredonia’s radio station and Biology Club. Caroline wants to move on to medical school upon graduation, which is made possible through the Keeper of the Dream program at Fredonia. She is extremely thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious program at the university.