CARA MYCHELLE HIRSCHMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ACHIEVEMENT > PHILANTHROPHY > RECOGNITION
Connor Balog of Freehold, NJ is a Biology major. He is a member of the Biology Club, PreMed Club, Dance Marathon Club and the Kindersmile Junior Board. Connor, who wishes to become an oral maxillofacial surgeon, participated in a Kindersmile outreach trip to the mountains of Los Lomas, Guatemala in May 2013. He is proud of having completed more than 3,000 hours of orthodontic, general dentistry and oral surgeon shadowing and co-op field work. Connor’s life is guided by the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Instead of letting dyslexia get him down, he learned how to harness his frustrations and learn from them. Connor believes, “Everyone deserves a chance,” he said. Connor has a 3.33 grade point average.
“By providing the right opportunity to success in my future endeavors, the Hirschman Scholarship is most appreciated.” Connor Balog
Megan Byrne of Hillsdale, NJ is a Psychology major and a Visual Arts minor. She is a member of the Student Government Association, Pre-Med Club, the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the Academic Advisory Council and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Megan has held a number of jobs on campus and volunteers at an occupational therapy rehabilitation center for women who have had breast cancer. She is proud of having received the Omicron Delta Kappa New Student Service Award. It was not until her second year at Ramapo, when she was struggling with classes, that Megan was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder
and a processing speed disorder. The diagnosis has shaped Megan’s life because she finally had a reason why she struggled in school. “I have developed compassion and appreciation for other students who are trying their best to overcome their limitations and challenges,” she said.
“I am very appreciative to have been selected as one of the recipients of this scholarship. Receiving this scholarship has enabled me to focus more of my academic responsibilities.” Megan Byrne
Alexandra Castiglia of Oak Ridge, NJ is a Psychology major and a Criminology minor. She is a member of and serves on the Executive Board of Alpha Phi Omega, the professional community service fraternity, Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors, United Asian Association and the Bischoff Hall Residence Hall Council. For more than 12 years, she has been involved with service activities with the Rotary Club. On campus, she has performed community service with the Kessler Foundation, Relay for Life and March of Dimes. Alexandra views her dyslexia as an ability, not a disability. “Having dyslexia has afforded me many opportunities I might not have had the chance to experience otherwise,” she said. Alexandra enjoys community service. “As long as I can make a small difference in one person’s life, then I’ve done my job,” she added. Alexandra has 3.30 grade point average.
“This scholarship has given me the opportunity to finish my B.A. in Psychology and graduate to pursue my career in Forensic Psychology.” Alexandra Castiglia
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