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.)