By Phil Corso
Susan Tsang of Oakland Gardens was one of 50 city students to receive college scholarships last week when 185 local BP gas station owners of New York and New Jersey presented a grant donation of $100,000 to the BP Community Scholarship Program.
On June 25, Tsang of St. John’s University was awarded a $2,000 scholarship for the second year in a row at Caesar’s Club of Citi Field.
Over the past 25 years, New York- and New Jersey-area BP station owners have contributed more than $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,700 students in total.
“On behalf of the local area BP station owners, we are honored to fuel the future of students in our community and help make their dreams come true,” said Turgay Kadioglu, a BP gas station owner in Woodside.
Each scholarship recipient received $2,000 to be applied toward educational expenses for the upcoming year. Judges chose a diverse group of students based on personal statements, academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, individual goals and demonstrated financial need.
Laura Wilkinson, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in women’s platform diving, was the reception’s keynote speaker and spoke well of the BP Fueling Communities program. The program provides grants to local organizations that support education, youth, health, food and housing.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
