Scholarship winners: Alfredo Suarez Jr., Kristina Jewett, and Rachel Vogel.
By Jill Fox
The Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation helps students with the cost of post-secondary education and makes charitable donations to causes she supported before her life was taken on February 14, 2018.
Tony Montalto, Foundation president and Gina’s father said the young man and women chosen for the 2020 scholarships were qualified, passionate, and dedicated to their studies.
“They also had the combination of high grades and excellent communication skills that propelled them to the top,” he said.
A $5,000 STEM Scholarship was given to Alfredo Suarez Jr. of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, studying Management Information Technology at Pennsylvania State University.
A $5,000 Arts scholarship was given to Kristina Jewett, of Concord, California, currently pursuing a Fine Arts degree at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts.
“We are confident they will help to keep Gina’s light shining by helping others,” said Tony.
Rachel Vogel, of Pembroke Pines, was the recipient of the Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship for $1,500 in August. As a Cadette Girl Scout, Gina earned the Girl Scout Silver Award with her Troop and was enormously proud of this accomplishment.
“Presenting these awards to these fantastic young adults helps keep Gina present in our lives,” said Jennifer Montalto, mother of Gina. “We want our recipients to remember who Gina was and to help spread kindness and to strive to make the world a better place.”
The Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation is planning to award more scholarships created in direct response to COVID-19. They are in the final stages of selecting the recipients of the 17 for 17 nursing scholarships, where 17 nursing students will each receive $1,000 towards their degree.
To apply for any of these scholarships, visit the Gina Rose Memorial Foundation. To contribute to the scholarship foundation, Donate here.
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