Four Boston Students Receive Citizen Schools Scholarship Awards

Two current Citizen Schools students and two Citizen Schools alumni were awarded scholarships in honor of former National Board Chairs at Citizen Schools Headquarters on Monday.

Benjamin Erazo and Hadear Rizq, two students in the Citizen Schools 8th Grade Academy program, recieved the Andrew Balson Leadership Award. Citizen Schools established the Andrew Balson Leadership Award in 2014 to honor Andrew Balson’s role as Chair of the organization’s National Board of Directors from 2006 to 2014. Recipients receive $250 and will have their names on a plaque at Citizen Schools’ National Headquarters. Benjamin was nominated by Teaching Fellow Brendan McGrath and Hadear was nominated by Teaching Fellow Shruti Nagarajan. 

Carlos Barbosa and Yorgelis Willians, alumni of the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School, were presented with the Sherif Nada Legacy Award. This award was created in 2006 to honor Sherif Nada’s leadership role as Chair of Citizen Schools’ National Board of Directors from 2001-2006. The Sherif Nada Legacy Award recognizes two Citizen Schools Eighth Grade Academy Alumni who are current seniors in high school. Recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship to use towards covering first-year college expenses and will have their names on a plaque at Citizen Schools’ National Headquarters. Recipients of the award will also have the opportunity to receive guidance and advice from Sherif and Mary Nada, who have helped past winners find internships and jobs.