Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association has awarded $2,500 education grants to nine students pursuing college degrees, vocational training, and professional certifications.
The grants, awarded annually through the Adrienne Citrin Memorial Higher Education Grant Program, are intended to help students pay for expenses including food, clothing, books, and transportation during the academic year.
Christina McCoy, who has served on the organization’s board for about three years, said the grants are meant to ease some of the financial pressures students face while continuing their education.
“Higher education costs being expensive, and that coupled with rising costs for basic necessities, like food and gas, it really puts an extra burden on students nowadays,” McCoy said. “What we hope is that the grants will alleviate some of that financial burden, so that students can focus on what’s important at this point in their lives, and that is working towards their educational goals.”
Lindsay Miller, one of the recipients, will be starting her freshman year at Columbia-Greene Community College and plans to study math and science before pursuing a career in health care as a radiologic technologist.
“Receiving this grant means so much to me because it is helping me pursue something I’ve worked hard toward,” Miller said. “This grant will help me with the costs of college and make it easier to focus on my classes and future career.”
Other recipients this year include:
Amya Anderson, who is working to complete her Career and Technical Education teaching certification through a University at Albany fellowship while working at the Donald R. Kline School in Hudson.
Darwin Cardona, a sophomore studying psychology at the University at Albany. He hopes to attend medical school and specialize in psychiatry, treating people with mental health challenges.
Olivia Osofsky, a freshman at Russell Sage College pursuing a career in occupational therapy. She plans to participate in an accelerated program that would allow her to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years.
Hope Miller, who will major in dairy production management and animal science at SUNY Cobleskill. She plans to become a veterinary technician or pursue another career in the agricultural industry.
Madison Manzi, a sophomore in Russell Sage College’s 3+3 Physical Therapy Accelerated Program. She plans to begin her doctoral studies next year.
Dominic Russell, a sophomore at SUNY Oneonta who plans to pursue a master’s degree at another institution after completing an associate’s degree in business.
Madison Rego, who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in health science at Western New England University and plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy.
Julia Thomas, who is studying finance at Siena University and hopes to give back to her community through a career in the financial industry.
The grant program was established in memory of Adrienne Citrin, a former president of Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association and longtime member of the Ancramdale community. Citrin died in 2019 at age 74.