Keolis Commuter Services Awards $25,000 In Local Scholarships

25 Keolis Scholars earn $1,000 to help pay for college, job training at State House event featuring Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito

BOSTON – May 31, 2017 – Keolis Commuter Services (KCS), the MBTA’s partner that operates the commuter rail, awarded today $25,000 to local students as part of its Keolis Scholars program. Twenty-five students from Boston, Brockton, Lawrence, Lynn and Worcester will use this $1,000 financial boost to help pay for post-secondary education or job training.

“Governor Baker and I congratulate these 25 young men and women who represent the very best of our Commonwealth and its future workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We thank Keolis Commuter Services for its commitment to the communities and students it serves, and look forward to seeing these Keolis Scholars fulfill their future potential.”

Speakers at today’s award ceremony included Lieutenant Governor Polito, KCS General Manager and CEO David Scorey, local elected officials, and family and friends of scholarship recipients. Now in its second year, the Keolis Scholars program has donated $50,000 to 50 students from Boston and its surrounding communities.

“Our job doesn’t start and stop simply with train service,” said Scorey. “In addition to providing safe, reliable and convenient operations, we’re investing in the communities we serve because it’s where our 2,250 employees live, and it’s part of our mission to give back in a way that lifts up the communities we serve. I want to congratulate this year’s Keolis Scholars and look forward to hearing about their continued academic achievements.”

KCS worked with city and school districts to choose the recipients and distribute the awards, which were based on both merit and financial need.

Included below are the names of the students who were named Keolis Scholars at today’s ceremony, along with their declared school and intended major.

Boston

Rashawn Shaw – UMass Boston, Nursing

Melat Tadesse – Undecided, Pre-med

Rasheed Charles – University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Engineering

Rosa Sanchez – University of New Hampshire

Angelica Samson, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Architecture

 

Brockton

Amir Sefiyaoui – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Engineering

Stephane Philippeaux – Bridgewater State University, Music Therapy

Dj’haeby Belony – Salem State University, Science

Samantha Doherty – Bridgewater State University, Physics

Hector Hernandez Jr. – Maine College of Art, Design

Lawrence

Ashley Rosario – Westfield State University, Graphic Design

Nicole Garcia – Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Architectural Design

Edward Crisostomo – Salem State University, Business

Edith Samboy – Engineering

Melany Felix – Boston College, Biology/Pre-Med

 

Lynn

Bessy Maldonado – North Shore Community College, Elementary Education

Alyssa Scouten – Salem State University, History

Eric Macorri – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Computer Engineering

Sandy Espindola – Hamilton College, Biology

Brittany Barrows – Endicott College, Nursing

 

Worcester

Viet Le – Boston College, Finance

Jared Ferrin – Brigham Young University

Keyanna Moore – Nichols College, International Business

Theola Reets – University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Business, Entrepreneurship and Communications

Neyra Salgado – Worcester State University, English Studies

Broadcast-ready pro-res files of today’s event may be found here: link to b-roll.

(Bottom row: GM and CEO of Keolis Commuter Services David Scorey, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth Karyn Polito, Worcester Student Keyanna Moore. Middle: Brockton Student Hector Hernandez Jr., Lynn Student Alyssa Scouten, Boston Student Melat Tadesse, Brockton Student Stephanie Philippeaux, State Senator Linda Dorcena-Forry, President of Keolis Commuter Services Gerald Francis. Top: Brockton Student Amir Sefiyaoui, Worcester Student Viet Le, Lynn Student Eric Macorri, Boston Student Rasheed Charles, NBC Boston’s Frank Holland.)