By Peter Sorkin
The scholarship was created in the memory of former QSAC volunteer Anita Smith, who was one of five Wendy's employees working in Flushing who were slain in a robbery attempt in May, said QSAC Director Gary Maffei.
Manhattan resident Anthony Millan, 21, who is pursuing a degree in psychology, has been working at QSAC since February and will receive $1,000 toward his education at Queens College. He said the scholarship was a great honor, having been bestowed upon him and the money will help him pay off a few student loans.
“It's going to help a lot,” he said. “I wasn't really expecting it. I haven't won a lot of things, but I've really been struggling with debts so this is really going to help me pay off some loans. I already have a payment due.”
Millan, who knew Smith when the two of them worked together at PS 177, works as a peer educator in addition to his job at QSAC. He said he was truly grateful to QSAC for recognizing him and called the organization the best place he has worked yet.
Anita Smith's mother, Joan Truman-Smith, was on hand to present the check to Millan, who works in both a group home and an after-school program at QSAC for the autistic. Smith, who was 22 at the time of her murder, worked at QSAC part time and was involved in similar programs for autistic children and adults.
Wayne Mahlke, director of administrative services for QSAC, said his organization is like a family and does all it can to take care of those who devote their time to helping the autistic. He called Smith a dedicated and caring employee and said Millan was well deserving of the accolade.
“It's very important to keep her memory alive,” he said. “This was a terrible tragedy, but [the scholarship] helps her to live on forever and gives us the opportunity to reach out to the community. This gives us the opportunity to recognize her work.”
Maffei said the scholarship, which will allow fund recipients to be able to use the money to further their education and their careers, will also honor Smith and her memory as well as her work for the autistic community.
“Anita was one or our part-time employees,” Maffei said. “We started this scholarship fund with her family to keep her memory alive.”
Anita Smith, of South Jamaica, was a graduate of Springfield Gardens High School. She had planned to enroll in classes at York College in September, her mother said at the time of her murder.
Truman-Smith, who moved to the United States from Jamaica nearly 30 years ago, said her daughter had many friends and was very generous with her time.
“Anita wanted to do a lot of things,” she said. “If she had her last dollar, she would say to you, 'Here you have it.'”
In addition to her mother and maternal grandparents, Anita Smith is survived by two brothers, 6 and 11, a sister, 21, and several other relatives.
Maffei said Millan represents everything Smith stood for and his organization will continue to keep her memory alive by rewarding worthy students.
“The scholarship is awarded to those who are trying to help people with autism and along those lines. Anthony represents that,” he said. “He is the first recipient, and we are going to raise money for it continually.”
“This was really sad and I was shocked,” Millan said of Smith's murder, “But for what symbol this scholarship represents, I'm really honored.”
