By Zach Patberg
A committee formed by Borough President Helen Marshall sorted through some 85 applicants before selecting six students from Fresh Meadows, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill and Jamaica. The scholarship ceremony was in celebration of Black History Month, although not all the recipients were black.”One need only look at the contributions of two individuals like the late Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King to see the impact that African Americans have had on our society and country,” said Marshall, who handed out the $1,000 scholarships at the Langston Hughes Library where she was once its first director.Parks and King, both pioneers in the civil rights movement, died in the last four months.”This annual observance in Queens…pays tribute to the contributions, culture and traditions of African American and reminds us all that working together we can make a difference,” Marshall said.The winners include Aruna Singh Khedaroo, of Hillcrest High School; Ruben Rafaelov of Thomas Edison Vocational and Technical High School; Tashii Jihada Jacobs of John Bowne High School; Cesia Bravo of Flushing High School; Helena Hobbs of Aviation High School; and Luan Andrews, of Richmond Hill High School. Selection criteria was based on their honors classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer and community service as well as internship experience. They also had to write two essays describing their greatest academic and personal achievement.One of the recipients, Ruben Rafaelov, who lives in Briarwood, said for his two achievements he wrote about becoming valedictorian and starting a global outreach club at his school junior year.He turned 18 the day he received the scholarship.”It was a good birthday present,” said the senior, who will attend St. John's University for pharmacy next year.Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
