Two graduating seniors at York Early College Academy in Jamaica, Queens, were awarded scholarships by a local philanthropic organization in recognition of their outstanding leadership abilities and academic excellence.
The students, Alicia Majid and Lorraine Benn, both graduated May 27 and each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Zara Charitable Foundation, a Jamaica-based charity run by the family that founded Zara Realty.
Lorraine, who plans to become a doctor, has been active in the community since her middle school days, creating educational workshops to ensure awareness of the need for more equitable healthcare access for LGBTQ youth and adults. She graduated with an A average.
Alicia, who plans to earn a degree in Public Administration and aspires to a career in public service, was elected by her peers to be the York Early College Academy student government secretary. She also graduates with an A average.
“These inspiring young women represent the very best of our city, our community, and our nation,” said Tony Subraj, co-Managing Partner of Zara Realty. “Our foundation is dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders realize their full potential, and with these scholarships, I am certain Alicia and Lorraine will continue on their path of success and continue improving the lives of their neighbors here in Queens and beyond.”
“Education is the most important building block for success, and these two scholarship winners have shown they have what it takes to accomplish their dreams,” said Amir Sobhraj, co-Managing Partner of Zara Realty. “Both are interested in pursuing studies that will prepare them for careers that have shown themselves during the pandemic to be essential for the overall well-being of our society. We are thrilled to share this accomplishment with them.”
“We are so thankful to the Zara Charitable Foundation for its focus on improving the lives of our students,” said York Early College Academy Principal Noah Angeles. “In addition to these scholarships, the foundation also dedicated our first student counseling center last year. We look forward to a continuing partnership with this wonderful local organization. Let me also say congratulations to Alicia and Lorraine, as well as to our entire 2021 graduating class. It has been a challenging year, and I am so proud of your success.”
The Zara Charitable Foundation funds educational, healthcare, and other initiatives. Zara Realty, based in Jamaica, is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in Queens, with over 10,000 resident units under management.
