Local Students Take Home Rhode Island Foundation Scholarships

The following was submitted by the Rhode Island Foundation:

High school seniors from Cranston, Newport and Woonsocket will head off to freshman year with college scholarships from the Rhode Island Foundation. The four-year, renewable scholarships are through the Carter Roger Williams Initiative, which was launched two years ago by philanthropists Letitia and the late John Carter.

“Roger Williams had the chance to further his education because of the people around him. Because of the vision of the Carter family, we have the opportunity to encourage students and their parents to think big about their future,” said Jessica David, the Foundation’s executive vice president of strategy and community investments, who leads the project.

This year’s scholarship recipients are Angella Nakasagga of Cranston, Ezra Monteiro of Newport, Marissa Henley and Alfusatny Saine of Woonsocket and Jacqueline Contreras and Abel Ndungutsye of Providence. The winners are eligible for $320,000 over four years.

They were selected from more than 160 applicants based on their academic achievement, financial need, appreciation for Roger Williams’ values and record of community service.

Cranston’s Nakasagga graduated from Cranston East High School, where she was a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society, student council, Bolts Broadcasting and the cheerleading squad. In addition, she did a PrepareRI internship and participated in the Brown University Pathways to Medicine Program.

In her application, Nakasagga wrote about what she learned from Roger Williams’ values.

“The steps he took towards creating a space for people to worship their God freely contributed to the freedom that permeates almost every area of today’s society, including religion and politics. As a result, Rhode Island has flourished through tolerance, acceptance, and pride in individuality,” she said.

Nakasagga will attend the University of Miami, where she will major in health and neuroscience.

“My innate desire to participate in the economic and social advancement of underserved nations around the word through health care has served a self-motivation to pursue a degree involving public health,” she said.

“I hope to gain a robust framework through which I can understand the root cause of the health disparities facing women of color and address pressing health burdens in underprivileged communities,” she added.

Newport’s Monteiro graduated from Rogers High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He was a member of the track and field, football, basketball and robotics teams.

In his application, Monteiro wrote about what he learned from Roger Williams’ values.

“In today’s day and age, many people have forgotten about Roger Williams’ principles and how they should apply to our everyday lives. When Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, he gave the colonists a chance to live a better life, regardless of their religion,” he wrote.

Monteiro will attend Howard University. He plans to major in economics and pursue a career in the financial industry.

“Although it may be hard, all of us need to stand up for what we believe in and stand against what we don’t. In order to build strong communities, we must work and pool unique ideas together,” he said. “Differences between people should not be seen as challenges, but rather as advantages. Unique minds and ideas pave the way for new discoveries and the advancement of the human race.”

Henley graduated from Woonsocket High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, a Peer Mentor and participated in track and field, volleyball, theater and student government as a member of the student council and a class officer.

In her application, Henley wrote about what she learned from Roger Williams’ values.

“Roger Williams’ incessant campaign for religious freedom, separation of church and state, and democracy are still ubiquitous today. Roger Williams’ representation of freedom and equitability in the early stages of America are the ideals that I have built my passion of social reform on,” she said.

Henley will attend Kent State University. She plans to run for office or become a lawyer after graduating from college.

“I will make a change in the world that will better society. I say I will because as a first generation student who also happens to be a woman of color, there isn’t any other option,” she said.

Saine also graduated from Woonsocket High School, where he played football and basketball and participated in theater.

“I grew up all around ‘hood’ kids and in the ‘hood.’ However, I don’t want to be just another statistic, so I changed my ways and my friends. School became everything to me,” the Woonsocket resident said.

“I joined theater class, a program I never thought I’d be a part of. Everyone was surprised. I was even made fun of, but it didn’t break me. Although the class made me nervous, I have people who helped me along the way,” he added.

In his scholarship application, Saine wrote about what he learned from Roger Williams’ values.

“Roger Williams possessed the ability to be open minded, he showed integrity and had courage, these are values that I try to emulate in my daily life to become a better me. He exemplified many core values that associate with myself, and had many more that I wish to someday obtain. He served as a role model for me, a young man from Rhode Island, and showed that with enough faith anything is possible,” he said.

Saine will attend the University of Rhode Island. He has not decided on a major, but plans to focus on nursing, biology, accounting or business.

“I like this new path I took, and I don’t want to be another person that makes people say, ‘Man, he could’ve been something.’ I want to be great, and I want to do right for everyone I care for,” he said.

In addition to the scholarships, the Carter Roger Williams Initiative hosts a website – findingrogerwilliams.com -- that offers educational resources for students and educators and awards grants to schools to underwrite field trips to the State House.

“By providing access to resources and opportunities inspired by our state’s founder and his teachings, we are promoting a sense of place and awareness for all Rhode Islanders,” said the Foundation’s David.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $114 million and awarded $52 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2018. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.