Fall 2024 Awards

Alicia Jean
Howard University

  • Alicia is an incredibly thankful scholarship recipient who will use the funds to make a significant difference boost in her educational journey. With this scholarship, she will be able to cover the costs of books and cover some tuition costs. Her journey to Howard University is rooted in the hard work and dedication that is evidenced by her achievements in high school. Her accomplishments reflect a commitment to academic excellence and a future career in the health sciences. At Howard, she plans to immerse herself in both academic training and hands-on experience, while actively engaging with the university’s rich history of fostering diversity and excellence in the medical field. She plans to use Howard’s resources and networks, to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to leave her mark as a Physician Assistant and ultimately earn a master's degree that will enable her to serve underrepresented communities.

    Gratitude: “This generous award brings me one step closer to achieving my academic and career goals. Thank you so much for your consideration. I am deeply grateful for this scholarship, which not only lightens the financial burden of pursuing my education but also fuels my determination to achieve my goals. This opportunity inspires me to work harder and give back to the community that has invested in my future."

Connor Johns
University of Pennsylvania

  • Connor is an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. Along with being a student in the Wharton School of Business, he is also a wide receiver for the football team. In high school, Connor was able to juggle his rigorous course load along with playing 3 varsity level sports for which he earned numerous state, district, and conference medals. His high school collection of recognitions also includes academic awards such as the All-Academic Gold Team as well as being on the President's List numerous times. While his college journey has just begun, he plans to rely on his work ethic to earn distinction in the classroom and among his peers. Connor is not quite sure what he wants to do after his undergraduate years, but he holds interests in medical devices, real estate, and urban planning.

    Gratitude. “I cannot express how grateful and blessed I am to receive this award from the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship Fund. It is extremely humbling to be selected from such a prestigious group of individuals. Thank you to the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship Fund for investing in me and my future.”

Antonio Dell'Aguzzo
Penn State University

  • Antonio is a 21-year-old college senior at (PSU). While majoring in marketing, minoring in business law and international business, he enjoys working for the men's basketball team and being a member of several clubs such as, Italian Student Society, Sports Business Club, and 360 Sports. When Antonio graduates, he is excited to pursue a career in coaching basketball at the division 1 level or in the NBA.

    Gratitude: “Receiving the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship award for the second time has helped me tremendously. I recently tore my ACL and find myself hobbled as I try to work and keep up with my studies. The scholarship could not have come through at a better time. Thank you for helping me when I needed even more support than before!”

Siddiq Small
Millersville University

  • Siddiq is most proud of finishing high school with a 3.5 GPA and excelling on the football field. His success academically and on the field, resulted in earning the opportunity to play college football at Millersville University.

    Gratitude: “I would like expresses my deepest appreciation for this scholarship … I wish to give you so much more than just a thank you note, but for now, please know how grateful I am.”

Spring 2024 Awards

Logan Elyse Pinkston
Howard University

  • Logan Elyse Pinkston is a freshman at Howard University pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. She is an Atlanta native, a scholar, a leader, and a community servant. Since enrolling at Howard University, she has joined many organizations that support her professional and personal goals. Logan is an active member of Black Girls Vote, the School of Business Student Council, and the International Business Society. One of her proudest moments was when she won the Morgan Stanley Jumpstart Capstone Project. The subsequent recognition was featured on a New York Times Square billboard, which highlighted her dedication to excellence in finance and leadership. Her future educational and career goals include attending Law school and becoming an Attorney.

    Gratitude Quote:

    Grateful, thankful, blessed! I am forever grateful to the TQR Scholarship Program for awarding me this generous scholarship. I am thankful for your belief and support in my educational journey. I am so blessed and will use this award to bridge the gap in paying for my college expenses.

Shaniyah Wilson
Tennessee State University

  • I embarked on my academic journey with a passion for learning and a drive to make a meaningful impact. Throughout my college years, I dedicated myself to academic excellence, earning accolades such as being on the Dean's List every semester since my freshman year of college, being recognized as an honors college student for the full 4 years of my college career and being inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Beyond the classroom, I actively participated in events with the Michigan Club on campus, where I honed my leadership and teamwork skills. One of my proudest accomplishments was committing to a 3 month volunteer experience, which not only showcased my abilities but also contributed positively to the community around me. As I approach graduation, I am excited about the prospect of going to grad school to get my Master's or Entry-Level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

    Quote: "This award has encouraged me to keep striving for excellence in my studies. I am grateful that you saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue my goals."

Antonio Dell'Aguzzo
Penn State University

  • Antonio Dell'Aguzzo is a 20 year old college junior that is enrolled at Penn State University. He is majoring in marketing, minoring in business law and international business, while also obtaining a certification in real estate. In addition to his studies, Antonio is a manager for the men's basketball team and a part of several clubs such as, Italian Student Society, Sports Business Club, and 360 Sports. Some of his most notable accomplishments include being awarded the "Good Citizenship" award from at the time Senator Pat Browne and being an assistant coach for a Nike EYBL team at the age of 19. When Antonio graduates, he is excited to pursue a career in coaching basketball at the division 1 level or in the NBA.

    Quote: I am beyond grateful for the support from the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship award. Being awarded this scholarship gives me the opportunity to put less time into a part time job and pour all my focus into my academics and future career goals. Thank you for all the support!

Javonte Thomas
University of Tennessee

  • Javonte Thomas is a current senior at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in Business Marketing. During his 4 years at UTC, he has acquired many new connections and relationships through the Rollins College of Business; in addition, he underwent an accounting internship at Mauldin & Jenkins to expand his horizon and stretch out his full potential within his degree program. As an undergraduate student, he participated in numerous clubs and events on campus, such as Brother 2 Brother, intramural basketball, and other activities that played a huge role in his studies. Outside of school activities, Javonte owns and operates his own clothing line that has created a space for him to not only be creative, but to express and apply his knowledge of marketing to his own business. After college, he tends to acquire a marketing, talent acquisition position for a company that allows him to create new relationships and connect with a team to achieve specific goals. In addition, he will continue to build on his clothing brand aside from his professional career.

    Quote: “I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive this TQR Last Dollar scholarship; in addition, I would like to take the time to express how blessed I am to be around the people in this organization. Being said, I will utilize this opportunity to cover my tuition for my last semester, and for any unexpected expenses that might arise as an undergraduate student. As a result, in expressing my gratitude for this award, I will share one of my favorite quotes from one of the best athletes in the world, “It doesn’t matter what your background is and where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that’s all that matters.” – Serena Williams

Mea Johnson
Penn State Lehigh Valley

  • I am a freshman at Penn State Lehigh Valley from the vibrant city of bridges, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am currently in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in data science, with the ultimate goal of a career in the field of data analytics. Within my first semester of my college career, I have made two major accomplishments. The first is finishing the semester on the dean’s list, and the second is being an active participant in Penn State Lehigh Valley’s honors program. These two accomplishments are a testament to my commitment to academic excellence and I am excited to see what else I can achieve throughout my academic journey

    Beyond my performance in the classroom, I bring that same determination and ambition to the basketball court as a proud member of Penn State Lehigh Valley’s women’s basketball team. As a student-athlete, I recognize the importance of giving back and pouring into others in the same way my community has done for me. In my spare time, I volunteer with The Next Step Basketball Training, where I can combine my love of basketball with meaningful community impact. As I continue to navigate my academic and extracurricular journey, I remain dedicated to sharpening my ski embracing challenges, and making meaningful contributions to both my academic pursuits and the wider community

    Appreciation: I am sincerely appreciative of being chosen as a recipient of the TQR Last Dollar scholarship award. Your support not only lightens the financial burden but also empowers me to fully engage in my education

Hailey Castillo
Penn State Lehigh Valley

  • In the short time I have been at Penn State Lehigh Valley, I have accomplished many things as a second-year student. One of my proudest accomplishments was being able to create and host an event that helps a small local Latino a restaurant in need, as it had been affected, like many others, by the pandemic. Not only did this help a business, but it also helped promote more diversity on our campus. This allowed many others to feel seen and heard. I have also joined clubs such as the Lion Ambassadors Club which enables me to practice leadership, take initiative to promote school spirit, and help recruit future students that will become leaders in our campus community. Being able to use my voice to effect positive change has been one of my biggest accomplishments. Being able to balance these tasks and making the Dean's Honor list are preparing me for the future I want. After college, I plan to earn a law degree and continue to use my personal power and voice to affect change in many communities and our legal system.

    Gratitude: Receiving this scholarship allows me to be one step closer to achieving my goals and succeeding in the very things I hope to accomplish without the constant stress of questioning how I will be able to continue to pay for my education. Being a student who truly loves learning, there's no better gift that could be given than a chance to do just that. This opportunity will continue to motivate me to obtain my goals and so much more. All I can truly say is, thank you.

Emily Arron
Columbia University

  • Emily Arron fell in love with the STEM world early, always racing to beat the boys in math competitions. Throughout high school, she followed this pattern, working as a Lead Instructor at Mathnasium from July 2021 until July 2024, advocating for an outreach program to expand access to STEM education, founding her school's first STEM competition team and peer tutoring program, and working with Schoolhouse World to use technology to reach underserved learners most efficiently. In college, Emily plans to study computer engineering to fulfill her dream of working at the intersection of machine learning and hardware engineering to represent the working class. Emily Arron was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida and will be a freshman at Columbia University in the fall 2024.

    Gratitude: Thank you TQR scholarship. I am forever grateful for your pivotal role in lifting this weight off my mom's and my shoulders. I will remember your generosity for the rest of my educational journey and career. In the Fall 2024, I plan to put this scholarship funds to help with buying textbooks needed for courses.

Savannah Baughn
University of Alabama

  • Savannah is a dual enrollment senior in high school student who is completing her sophomore in college. She will begin my junior year at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2024. However, in June she will graduate she will both her high-school diploma and an associate’s degree in May of 2024. She is deeply invested in community, as both a member of her school’s branch of the Rotary Interact and National Honor Society, completing community service for both groups as well as on my own time. She was also president of the Oak Ridge High School Wildcat Pride organization for the duration of her senior year, which included organizing student led activities at sports events, and running several school affiliated social media pages. During her freshman and sophomore year, she was also a member of Model United Nations. At the University of Alabama, she will major in communications and minoring in business. After completing my degree, she plans to enroll in culinary school, in hopes of opening a restaurant that will both be highly rated, but also dedicated to my community.

    Gratitude: I am incredibly grateful to be a recipient of this award. It was unexpected, but a wonderful surprise. A large part of choosing what university I would end up at was the financial aspect, and so receiving this award means my dreams are even closer to being fulfilled. Thank you to everyone involved, and to God.

Fall 2023 Awards

Dayanara Marrero-Allen
Mount Holyoke College

  • Dayanara Marrero-Allen is a proud Afro-Latina of Puerto Rican descent. She is also an accomplished musician and artist with a passion for building and design. As a Freedom High School student she worked closely with administration to address social justice issues at the high school level and served as panelist on Lehigh University's institute for critical race and ethnic studies education justice panel. In addition she landed an internship with SCF Architecture before her acceptance into Mount Holyoke College. After college Dayanara plans to continue her passion of architecture by continuing her work with SCF Architecture and then moving on to open her own firm later in her career. She shared that, “I've always lived my life in a way that made others happy, I found that in doing so I am able to truly appreciate and cherish life and those around me who support and love me.

    Gratitude: “The TQR Scholarship Program is no different, I am and will be forever grateful for the opportunities and support that this scholarship has given me. Being able to actually afford and support myself through college is something that is really important to me especially since I don't want to be a financial burden to anyone. This scholarship allows me to do that. I will use the money to cover any unexpected cost as well as for books and supply costs that will be present during my time in college. I'm so grateful to be chosen for this scholarship!”

Charlise Johnson
Hampton University

  • Charlise Johnson grew up in the Lehigh Valley and is a college Freshman at Hampton University. When she graduates college, her plan is to become a physical therapist and possibly work with professional athletes. This career combines her love for sports and therapy. I also want to inspire other young black girls to work within the healthcare field because there isn’t enough diverse representation.

    Charlise indicated that one of her proudest accomplishments was being able to see Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, and listen to her speak. This was an event that was first come first serve so…” I was lucky enough to be amongst a small number of high school students to meet the first vice president, a woman of color, as she sat with hundreds of students, speaking on the importance of making change within our country. It was truly an inspiring experience.”

    Gratitude: In saying thank you for this scholarship award, I want to share this simple rule. “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”― Oprah Winfrey

Ryan Payne
Tennessee State University

  • Ryan Payne, is a senior attending Tennessee State University who is majoring in Biology with a minor in general business. He has plans to become an occupational therapist or a healthcare administration.

    I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be blessed by such wonderful people in this organization. With this help, I will continue to further my education and grow as an individual to benefit my future and that of others.

Jaaziel Cooper
Drexel University

  • Jaaziel Cooper is a senior at Drexel University who majors in Marketing and minors in International Economics. Throughout high school and college, she has enjoyed investing in multicultural and diversity, equity, & inclusion efforts and developing her creative skills in brand marketing. By participating in student research, resident assistant work, and study abroad, Jaaziel has had a rich college experience and plans to use her last year of undergrad to uplift and encourage younger students to make the most of their time in college. After graduation, she is looking forward to continuing to travel, and pursuing a career in brand marketing that positively impacts her community.

    Gratitude: “I am so thankful to be a recipient of the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship Award. The funds will go directly towards my tuition and housing, aiding me in completing my undergraduate degree.”

Spring 2023 Awards

Nevaeh Coffee
Tennessee State University

  • Nevaeh Coffee is a graduate of John Hay Early College located in Cleveland, Ohio and a first generation college student at Tennessee State University. She is in her Junior year and is earning a degree in psychology and minor in business. She works at the college bookstore as a cashier assisting students with purchasing books and school merchandise which helps her cover some of her college expenses. Her career goal is to help those struggling with mental health concerns. She became interested in the mental health field after being affected by the loss of a close family member. Her ultimate goal is to own a mental health clinic and to develop a scholarship fund for others seeking to attend Tennessee State and major in Psychology.

    Appreciation: “The financial contribution towards my education does not go unnoticed. Through your assistance, I am one step closer to closing my educational gap. I want to give a huge Thank You for all your support in my educational journey.”

Michelle Ampofo
Drexel University

  • Michelle Ampofo is a fiery, funny, and fashionable Aries who’s calling in life is to be a storyteller. Whether it’s from personal experience or stories from others, no one says a story quite like me. As a senior at Drexel University and a Philly native, during my time in school I have had some amazing opportunities throughout my life. From studying abroad in London to living in LA my junior year, and interning at places like MACRO and Interscope. While these are some of my proudest moments, the thing I am most proud of is my resilience and advocacy for myself. None of these opportunities were easy to attain but with the skill of patience and positivity it has paved the way to help me to be on the path to achieve my post graduate goals of becoming a development executive and future entertainer.

    Appreciation: “Thank you so much to everyone at the TQR foundation for providing me with this scholarship. It means so much! As I’ve gone through school I’ve realized how difficult it is to be eligible for scholarships when you’re not an incoming student or college freshman and that is why I am grateful that organizations like TQR exist. It is programs like these that ensure the next generation of trailblazers thrive.”

Jocelyn Pellegrino
Northampton Community College

  • Jocelyn Pellegrino is 19 years old and has had many accomplishments ranging from the first steps that she took as a baby to earning a congressional internship. Her favorite accomplishments are the early ones which include receiving the Girl Scout Trifecta award, her first Internship with the James Lawson Freedom School, congressional internship in the office of Congresswoman Susan Wild, and this

    TQR Last Dollar Scholarship. After completing my AutoCAD associates at Northampton Community College in May 2023, she will transfer to Morgan State University in Maryland and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics.

    Gratitude: “When I first found out I received this scholarship I was ecstatic. I thought to myself, ‘this may be my first scholarship award I receive but it won’t be my last one’. I am truly grateful to be receiving this scholarship award.”

Shaniyah Wilson
Tennessee State University

  • Shaniyah Wilson is a Junior at Tennessee State University. “So far one of my biggest accomplishments is being on the Deans List every semester since her freshman year of college. I am also proud to have just received news that I can graduate in Fall 2023 opposed to Spring 2024, my original graduation date.” Along with being on the Dean’s List she has been a member of the Honors College since 2021 she is a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. In addition, she is a member of the TSU Chapter of Psi Chi, an International Honor Society in Psychology. When she graduates her plan is to attend Graduate school to earn a Masters in Occupational Therapy and become a pediatric occupational therapist and open my own facility.

    Thank You: “Romans 12:12 says Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer… “ One of my prayers has been answered and I am just truly blessed to be a recipient of your scholarship. Your generosity allows me a better chance at achieving my dreams and I am beyond grateful.”

Isaiah Ewing
Frostburg State University

  • Isaiah James Ewing is a 20 year old college senior from Baltimore, MD who enrolled at Frostburg State University. He is majoring in communication studies and minoring in social media marketing. In addition to his studies, he is a member of the rugby team and active in several student organizations such as Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Council for Negro Women, and Student Government Association. Some of his greatest accomplishments for which he has pride include earning an associate's degree while in high school which gave him a head start in his college career and the opportunity to graduate in May 2023. He is excited about his upcoming internship at Sephora where he will work as a social media coordinator. He plans to leverage that opportunity to land a full-time job with the company as well as continue building his photography business.

    Gratitude: “I am so thankful for the support of the TQR Last Dollar Scholarship award. It means a lot to be one of the chosen few to receive the award out of all the deserving students who applied. I plan to use the money to help cover living and food expenses this semester. The timing could not be better because this funding will help me focus on my last semester of courses and spend less time working a part-time job. Thank you!”

Jevaughn Edwards
Drexel University

  • Jevaughn Edwards is a junior at Drexel University who double majors in Economics and Legal Studies. He hails from the small sunny isles of Jamaica where he developed a fervent love for people as well as a keen appreciation for how individuals impact the economy. This love and appreciation is why he selected these majors. His life goal is to help advance the human race through his love for people and desire to help people better understand the world around them.

    Thank You: “I plan to use the funds from this scholarship to purchase textbooks in efforts to further my studies. Thank you so much!”