Wilma Mayers was born in Trinidad and Tobago. She has been in the United States for eight years, and working for Partners In Care Home Care Agency as a home health aide for six years. Working with the elderly and seeing their needs met convinced her to enroll in school to better equip herself to serve this population. She is currently attending the New York City College of Technology (City Tech), pursuing an Associate’s degree in Health and Human Services. Going to school and working has not been easy, but Wilma’s dedication to her patients and to school motivates her to move forward. She is determined to complete her degree and honor her parents’ memory. Despite challenges, Wilma has been able to maintain her grade point average. About the scholarship, Wilma said, “Words can’t express how I felt when I found out I was selected. I felt hope! I appreciate everything that this award has given me.”
Category: Success Stories
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Margaret Atenaga
Margaret Atenaga was born in Nigeria and has been in the United States since 2000. Margaret had been working for Personal-Touch Home Care as a home health aide for 12 years when she received her Basil Paterson Scholarship. It all started with a patient who used to call her “Nurse Margaret,” even though she was a home health aide. That experience empowered her to go to nursing school. Margaret completed the last semester of her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at York College of the City University of New York (CUNY), and she graduated in fall 2015. While attending school, she has been dedicated to both her work and her education. Margaret graduated proudly, with her name on the college Dean’s List. She passed the RN-NCLEX licensure examination and is now working as a registered nurse. Margaret’s long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner, and she said that her greatest inspiration is her family, who are very proud of her achievement. “I can’t believe I did it! I am so excited!” she said. About the scholarship, Margaret added, “I was not sure how the scholarship would help me. They made a believer out of me.”