We seek to feature our incredible former winners who continue to do great things as they pursue their educations and careers, continuing to give back to their communities. This year, as you consider applying for your own award, we want you to read the stories of some of our 128 alumni, a group that we hope you will join this year!
Richard Guang, 2019
What year did you graduate high school?
2019 from Staten Island Technical High School
What does SI Achieve mean to you? How has it helped or impacted you?
SI Achieve means a community of amazing mentors and peers whom I can rely on and reach out to whenever I need. I appreciate them staying in touch with us alumni of the program to see how we are progressing throughout college. SI Achieve has also shown me the importance of giving back to your community, both now and in the future.
Where do you go to college? What do you major in?
I attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and major in Finance.
What drew you to finance as a major?
I really enjoyed learning about companies and their business models, and enjoy staying up to date with trends in the market. I am also interested in investing and asset management, because it allows people to have financial security in the future through investing now.
What extracurriculars are you involved in?
I am involved in the MIT running club, Cru (a Christian fellowship group), and various business clubs so I can learn more about investing and meet other people who are interested in similar fields. I am also in MIT MedLinks, a program where students provide medical assistance to peers in their living group.
What are your plans for the future? Where do you want your degree to take you?
After graduation I plan to come back to New York and work in asset management, as well as continue real estate on the side. I want to continue to be involved in my community, including SI Achieve and my church.
What is one tip or piece of advice you have for someone applying for a SI Achieve scholarship?
Show your passion and have a story or something you spent a lot of time on. Show what motivates you to keep working on that thing!
Finally, tell us a Fun Fact about yourself
I have my real estate license for the State of New York.
Daniel Annan, 2019
What year did you graduate high school?
2019 from Wagner High School
What does SI Achieve mean to you? How has it helped or impacted you?
SI Achieve means a lot. You apply to scholarships on a national level and you're less likely to get them since there is such a large pool of applicants. I love that SI Achieve is a local award and the winners are representative of the talent that Staten Island has to offer. It further makes me want to achieve my goals so I can continue to represent SI
Where do you go to college? What do you major in?
I attend Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the CUNY School of Medicine and am majoring in Biomedical Education
What is your favorite class you have taken?
I'm taking genetics currently and it's been my favorite class just because of the content. We're learning about dominant and recessive traits, blood types, and how sex cells develop in the body.
What extracurriculars are you involved in?
I'm involved in the Switch It Up, Break It Down program, where we teach elementary students the importance of eating healthy. I also am a part of the Peer Health Exchange and that's where we teach high school students about physical, emotional, and mental health so they can make healthy decisions.
What are your plans for the future? Where do you want your degree to take you?
I want to become a trauma surgeon based in either NYC or Atlanta. I also want to build urgent care facilities in Ghana, and maybe even create other programs to train other doctors there. Additionally I want to participate in Doctors Without Borders.
Do you have any advice for current seniors applying to college?
Don't be too focused on getting into your #1 school, because everything happens for a reason and it's you who makes the experience. So have an open mind to being a student at all the schools you are applying to.
What is one tip or piece of advice you have for someone applying for a SI Achieve scholarship?
Be true to yourself. Don't make any assumptions about what you think the interviewer wants to see or hear. Be your genuine self and don't try to be someone that you are not.
Finally, tell us a Fun Fact about yourself
I play three instruments: the drums, piano and bass guitar
Kristen Brennan, 2019
What year did you graduate high school?
2019 from Moore Catholic High School
What does SI Achieve mean to you? How has it helped or impacted you?
I'm very grateful for the opportunity. I applied to a lot of scholarships and this was the one I really wanted, as it would really help me with affording college.
Where do you go to college? What do you major in?
I attend St. Peter's University and I major in finance, with a possible double major in economics.
What is your favorite class you have taken?
I'm taking an accounting class right now and it's really interesting.
What extracurriculars are you involved in?
I'm on the softball team at St. Peter's
What are your plans for the future? Where do you want your degree to take you?
I'm not completely sure just yet. I'm interested in doing the 2 year masters program in finance. And I'm definitely aiming to work in either New York City or Jersey City after I graduate.
Do you have any advice for current seniors applying to college?
Apply to as many schools as you can! If you know what you want to major in, research the schools you're interested in and really look at their programs and what they offer. And of course, apply to as many scholarships as you can! Give yourself the most chances that you possibly can!
What is one tip or piece of advice you have for someone applying for a SI Achieve scholarship?
Include as much as you can on your resume! Show all you have been a part of and show yourself in the best light. Highlight your accomplishments!
Finally, tell us a Fun Fact about yourself
Last semester I finished with a 4.0 GPA
Corinne Birchard, 2013
What year did you graduate high school?
2013 from Curtis High School
What does SI Achieve mean to you? How has it helped or impacted you?
It helped me go into freshman year feeling confident. I remember how intense the interview process was for the scholarship. I'm grateful for the experience of the interview process because it prepared me for future job interviews. I figured if I was able to successfully conquer this process as a high school senior, then any other job interview process would be easy compared to it.
Where did you go to college? What did you major in?
I attended the University of Buffalo for undergrad and majored in Biological Sciences
Did you do any post graduate study?
I went to Wagner College for Education
What is your current job title and what does that entail?
I am a science teacher to juniors and seniors at Curtis High School. I also coach the girls track & field and cross country teams. It's a full circle moment for me since I was a part of both of these teams when I was a student at Curtis.
What do you enjoy about the industry you work in?
Since I was in kindergarten, I always aspired to be a teacher. Growing up I had great teachers, but when I was at Curtis I had some engaging teachers that made me want to teach teenagers. I studied biology while I was in college, so I continue to learn and study it while I teach my students, and I really enjoy that.
What was one of your favorite memories from college?
I loved running with my best friends on the cross country and track & field teams at the University of Buffalo, and competing and being a part of a NCAA team.
What is one tip or piece of advice you have for a student who is about to attend college or in college currently?
Find the time management skills that work the best for you! There is nothing more helpful than being organized and knowing what is ahead of you.
What is one tip or piece of advice you have for someone applying for a SI Achieve scholarship?
Don't be afraid to let yourself shine! There is always something that will set you apart from the other students who are applying.
Finally, tell us a Fun Fact about yourself
I have read the entire Harry Potter series 13 times in its entirety!
