East Providence Student Wins RI Foundation Scholarship

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — An East Providence High School graduate has won a statewide Rhode Island Foundation college scholarship competition, said the foundation in a news release.

Haylee Mota is one of five students in Rhode Island eligible to receive up to $320,000 over four years as part of a scholarship honoring the state's founding father, Roger Williams. The funding is provided through the Rhode Island Foundation’s Carter Roger Williams Initiative, which was launched by philanthropists Letitia and the late John Carter.

“All of these students discovered inspiration in Roger Williams and in turn has an inspiring story of their own to share, said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, in a statement. "It is only due to the commitment of the Carter family that we can offer students and their parents this opportunity to think big about their future."

Mota was selected out of over 70 students based on her academic achievement, financial need, appreciation for Roger Williams’ values, and record of community service. She plans to attend the University of Southern California and major in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

In her application, Mora describes how she related to Roger Williams as a person with vision-related impairment.

“He deviated from what the community expected of him and forged his own path," she said. "Similar to Roger Williams, I have spent my life fighting against the expectations others have about what I can and cannot do. Throughout, I have stuck to my belief that I will set my own expectations."