Newburgh Free Academy’s Anita Sanchez Garcia Awarded 2019 Human Rights Scholarship

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Inaudy Esposito have announced that Newburgh Free Academy’s Anita Sanchez Garcia is the recipient of the 2019 Human Rights Scholarship award.

“Anita is a role-model for other students and we are pleased to recognize her with this scholarship,” Neuhaus said. “She represents everything that the Human Rights Commission stands for, and is a civic-minded young woman who cares for and respects her peers and the community. I wish her good luck and much success in her future endeavors.”

To qualify for the $1,000 scholarship, students must demonstrate respect and understanding for all racial, religious and ethnic groups. They are also required to initiate and/or participate in program(s) that foster human rights awareness in their schools or residential communities.

Sanchez Garcia has completed more than 200 community service hours with her church as a junior Sunday school counselor and created a project in her school called “The Buddy Pass” in which bilingual honor students get paired with ESL students to help them navigate the many challenges and complexities of a new school environment. Sanchez Garcia was accepted into and successfully completed the very competitive Puerto Rican/Hispanic Leadership Institute, and is passionate about helping people in need, especially those affected by domestic violence. She has been accepted to the College of Saint Rose in Albany and will major in Criminal Justice.

“Anita embodies the work of the Human Rights Commission,” Esposito said. “Her compassion towards others and advocacy on behalf of disenfranchised communities is inspiring to all of us. The Commission is very proud to have selected her as the recipient for the 2019 Human Rights Scholarship.”

Scholarship winners must be a high school senior or eligible for graduation in the 2019 calendar year and be considering a post-secondary education. The eligible applicant must also reside in Orange County at the time of the nomination. The Orange County Human Rights Commission has been presenting the scholarship since 2006. It is funded through proceeds from the Commission’s annual event held each year.

To learn more about the Orange County Human Rights Commission, call 615-3680 or visit orangecountygov.com, click on Departments, then the Human Rights Commission page.

Information provided by the Orange County Human Righs Commission.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!