The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation recently announced its scholarship awards, which went to 19 Hudson Valley students.
“This is one of the most rewarding things we do,” explained Executive Director Pari Forood.
“Each year, a committee made up of members of our board, former and current teachers and the two co-founders of the foundation get together to review applications and read heartwarming essays from students whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.”
The Miles of Hope mission is to fund support services, education and outreach for people affected by breast cancer within the nine counties of the Hudson Valley. In 2024, the foundation received 50 applications from six counties –19 students were awarded between $1,250 and $5,000 for their college/university expenses.
“This year, we gave away $45,000 to students whose lives have been affected by breast cancer,” explained Co-Founder and Scholarship Committee Chairman Cathy Varunok.
“We work with guidance counselors in 24 school districts to make sure that any student whose life has been affected by breast cancer has the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. The process is relatively easy. Students submit their grades, class rank and volunteer activities as they relate to breast cancer and an essay telling us how breast cancer has impacted their lives,” Forood said.
“The committee is made up of breast cancer survivors and people who have also been affected by the disease. The entire process takes a few months from receipt of the applications online, to assessing them. It is one of our most important programs along with helping people in treatment with their bills and finances.
The scholarship recipients with their current educational institution and county of residence are:
- Schuyler Birrittella, Poughkeepsie High School – Betty Howard Scholarship, Dutchess
- Ayden Brown, FDR High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Clifford Bush, Rondout High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Ulster
- Giuliana Calderon, John Jay High School -– Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Eileen Connolly, Our Lady of Lourdes – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Gabriella DeGuzman, Our Lady of Lourdes – Dana Effron Scholarship, Dutchess
- Kaitlyn Eisentraut, Middletown High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Orange
- Emma Gatta, Arlington High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Meghan Hammond, Millbrook High School – Paulette Pettorossi Scholarship, Dutchess
- Madison Kaminski, Roy C. Ketcham – Lynne and Bob Kopac Scholarship, Dutchess
- Liam Maroney, Red Hook High School – Betty Benecke Scholarship, Dutchess
- Jahnvi Mundra, Arlington High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Megan Palestro, Arlington High School – Michael Benecke Scholarship, Dutchess
- Merilyn Rinaldi, Beacon High School – Paulette Pettorossi Scholarship, Dutchess
- Jordyn Strati, New Milford High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Dutchess
- Audrey Trick, John Jay High School – Adele Bayer Scholarship, Dutchess
- Maelia Vasquez, Poughkeepsie High School – Michael Effron Scholarship, Dutchess
- Jaiden Wilson, Horace Mann High School – Adele Bayer Scholarship,Westchester
- Landon Zehr, Highland High School – Miles of Hope Scholarship, Ulster
