By Amanda Moses
The lower level of the Brooklyn Sports Club’s (BSC) Aspen room was bustling with chatter as excited parents and their teenage children prepared for a special scholarship award ceremony on August 11th. Balloons, purple tablecloths, and banners adorned the multipurpose room for an elegant dinner hosted by Starry Internet to commend the 2022 Spring Creek towers Scholarship Award recipients for their steadfast dedication to academic excellence.
Over the past several months, Starry has been offering services to SCT, participating not just as an internet provider, but also as a supporter of the community. With the new endeavor of higher education and a new school year slowly approaching, Starry saluted the teens in the neighborhood who’ve earned SCT scholarships by providing a congratulatory Italian dinner—buffet style—along with music, awards, and a special gift.
“There were high school graduates from Spring Creek Towers who were awarded scholarships, and we want to be a part of it. We provide broadband internet service here to Spring Creek Towers, and we really just wanted to be a part of this amazing opportunity honoring these kids and doing an event for them,” Meki Adefris said, the National Director for Marketing and Partnerships for Starry Connect.
The event began with Master of Ceremonies, Jeremy Williams, who is the Spring Creek After School Program Director, as he welcomed families, SCT staff, community members, and the honorees.
Adefris and SCT Scholarship Awards Administrator, Karin Montagne took turns addressing the crowd by reaffirming what an achievement their children have made and stressed the significance of the road to college that the teens were about to embark on.
“I can breathe a little. I’m very proud of her, she worked hard not just academically, but she did a lot of community service. She’s been doing that since seventh grade, and it paid off. I’m so grateful to Spring Creek Towers,” Jeanette Reyes said of her daughter Arianna Reyes whom she looked upon with adoration.
Arianna Reyes still in shock over her gift from Starry also shared her appreciation for her scholarship that will help her attend an out of state college.
“It’s an opportunity that not a lot of people get. I know a lot of my friends didn’t have the financial ability to go away. So, it’s very nice to be able to have that opportunity. And I’m grateful that I was given it and it’s just how we feel. Oh, I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting that,” Arianna Reyes added.
Chanokiey Wilson embraced her daughter, Senaxia Shields, tears welling her eyes as she beamed with pure pride.
“I’m really proud and grateful. God is good because she needed a new computer, and I’m just so excited, happy, and grateful,” Wilson said.
In addition to receiving their scholarship the recipients received a certificate commending their accolades and were given a golden bag with a surprise inside—a gift by Starry’s partnership with Microsoft to help the students while they attend college.
Slowly, each teen unraveled their gift boxes, which was closely followed by the sound of audible gasps from attendees. All were completely flabbergasted and astonished to find a Microsoft Surface Go 2-in-1 with a detachable keyboard—some parents even began to cry and cheer as a weight was lifted from their shoulders. Purchasing a quality computer for school can be expensive, and families stated that this gift was a tremendous help.
“Our partner, Microsoft, has given us devices to give to them so they can go to college because obviously you can have great internet, but if you don’t have the device for the success and to get on the internet then that’s half the problem,” Adefris said, “At our core, we believe that the internet should be a right, and it’s incredibly important for you to have access to economic growth. We are hoping that they stay connected and be successful.”
Photos by Amanda Moses
