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Reconocimiento Award 2005

Samantha Melendez
Young Entrepreneur Scholarship 2005

Samantha Melendez is a 17 year old senior majoring in Dance at School of the Arts.

Samantha’s typical school workday involves her academic courses, which includes 2 AP classes, as well as intense required dance classes. While maintaining her 3.8 GPA, Samantha manages to also participate in Boriquen’s dance troupe under the direction of Nadia Padilla-Rodriguez, and hold a part-time position at Wegmans.

She is presently in the process of applying to colleges that offer extensive business programs, with the intention of entering in September 2006. She has always admired her father, Augie’s, career in Human Resources, and has decided to follow his role model into the business world.

Her dream is to create a business focusing on fashion merchandising. She is dynamic and determined to make her way to a successful business career.

 

Mother Theresa, that awesome woman who found her mission in life serving others said, “God doesn’t require us to succeed, He only requires that we try”. As all wise, generous spirits have discovered over time, success is possible only for those who try. It is possible when there is a clear vision and understanding of the mission to be achieved. This is the case of the woman we are honoring today.

This year’s recipient of the Reconocimiento Volunteer award is an avid athlete who has participated in local 5K races. This interest can very well serve as a metaphor for her dedication and contribution to her volunteer activities. She scans the course, identifies the challenges, trains accordingly, and keeps her focus on the finish line. She purposely aims at success.

Our recipient this year is a native of Mexico City who came to this country as a 21 year old. She has lived in California and Texas. Since her arrival in Rochester in March of 2003 she has contributed her time and talents to the following organizations:

Nominated by fellow work associate, Stevan Ramirez, he describes her as

…an extraordinary individual who has gone out of her way to volunteer in a number of activities in support of non-profit organizations… She has not been afraid to try new things, she is passionate about what she does and follows through with tangible results… high energy, outspoken and is not afraid to take chances… She is a role model for others to follow and is the proud mother of two daughters.

It is a great honor to present the winner of the 2005 Volunteer Service Reconocimiento Award, Ana Galindo, Senior Research Analyst for CMO Business Research. In her willingness to try, she has contributed to making not only her workplace but the broader community a better place for each of those she touches.