Congratulations to our Scholarship Graduates!

This spring, two recipients of the Julia Robiola Gigena Scholarship celebrated their college graduations under unusual circumstances. Commencement ceremonies for many in the Class of 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19, and for many, the semester of virtual classes ended anticlimactically. We want to celebrate the Class of 2020 for their achievements and extend a special congratulations to our two scholarship graduates, Juan Jose Castillo Perez and Ameena Sbabi. We interviewed both graduates to share and celebrate their accomplishments.

Juan Jose Castillo Perez - Washington County Community College

Juan Jose graduated this spring with an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Technology and a Specialization in Passenger Vehicles. After high school, Juan Jose decided to apply for this scholarship and attend college so he could forge a new career for himself and for his family. Juan Jose shared that after learning that he had been awarded this scholarship, he was excited but also felt a lot of pressure, feeling that he now had to live up to high expectations. However, knowing that he had his family’s support, and knowing that he had been chosen for this scholarship, motivated him to keep pushing himself. As a result, Juan Jose has succeeded in his major and received several awards, including an Outstanding Achievement Award in Automotive Technology.

Juan Jose expressed that his family has always been his biggest support and his biggest motivation in pursuing a college degree. Juan and his family moved to Milbridge, Maine from Honduras when he was 4 years old. They have been connected with Mano en Mano for many years since Juan Jose joined one of our after-school tutoring programs. Since then, he has become a familiar face, attending and helping out at our community events. Recently, Juan Jose has been assisting Mano en Mano and the Seacoast Mission during the pandemic by making food deliveries in the Downeast area. After getting more work experience, he is eventually hoping to open his own family business, a mechanic shop. Juan Jose also shared how thankful he is for the opportunities that this scholarship has given him. He is now the first person in his family to graduate from college, which is already making an impact in his family and his community.

Ameena Sbaibi - Suffolk University

Ameena graduated this spring with honors and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a minor in Marketing. In her senior year, Ameena discovered her special interest in the Psychology of Business and declared her minor in Marketing. She also participated in an internship under the Belgrade Group and was able to get some first-hand marketing experience while working as a Social Media Manager. Throughout her college years, Ameena worked hard to maintain high honors status, all while working two jobs. Adjusting to life in Boston and this demanding schedule was challenging for Ameena at first. However, she shared that she is most proud of this accomplishment, the time-management skills she learned, and her ability to successfully balance both work and school.

Ameena grew up in Eastport, Maine and attended high school in East Machias. As a child, Ameena shared that she struggled with the lack of diversity in her small hometown. The community there is mostly white and many families have roots in the area going back generations. Though it was not reflected in her community, her Moroccan and Puerto Rican heritage has always been important to her and her family. Ameena expressed that she especially appreciates the Julia Robiola Gigena Scholarship because of what it stands for and how it supports the Latinx community in Maine. She is also grateful that the scholarship allowed her to attend college in Boston, something she might not have been able to do otherwise. Since graduating in the midst of the pandemic, Ameena has been taking some time to connect with her family and pursue new hobbies while she is applying to jobs. After getting more work experience, she is eventually hoping to pursue a Master’s Degree.