Ariel Rodriguez

A 2020-2021 Phillips Alumni Scholar

   Ariel Rodriguez (’24 Providence College) gained rare experience in high school as a youth philanthropist through the Greater Worcester Community Fund’s program Youth for Community Improvement (YCI), helping to award grants totaling $50,000 over two years. YCI’s grants are focused on youth achievement, mental health, and support for refugee and immigrant families, with a preference for nonprofits with a history of youth leadership. “We learned a great lesson in consensus building and also grew to look at our community in a different way than any of us had before.” After reviewing the applications and making their selections each year, they were able to meet the grantees. Particularly meaningful was the group’s award to the Nativity School of Worcester, the tuition-free independent middle school for underserved boys that Ariel had attended. “I was astonished that I was able to make an impact on people in the same position I used to be in.”
   Building on that experience, Ariel joined the Worcester Teen Leadership Council, where he helped organize a conference at Worcester’s South High School to develop the youth voice, teach students about philanthropy and encourage working through organizations like YCI. After applying for and receiving both a $1,000 grant and helpful feedback from the global organization Peace First, the group changed their name to Understanding Youth Philanthropy and expanded the scope of their mission. “We decided to become more of an advocacy group that would give presentations to community foundations with philanthropy boards and advocate the importance of youth voices in leadership positions. Due to COVID-19, we had to change how we did that, so we decided to create a video to send to community boards and post on social media.”
   Ariel graduated from Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA, in 2020, and is now a first-year student at Providence College, where he is already quite involved (despite the pandemic) with the Providence Immigrant Rights Coalition, an advocacy group for DACA and first- and second-generation students that focuses on immigration issues. He also participates in OLAS, a Hispanic/Latinx cultural group, and Mentor RI, a mentoring program that matches at-risk youth with adult mentors.

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

Kylee McCumber

A 2020-2021 Phillips Alumni Scholar

   For 10-year old Kylee McCumber it started with a simple question: why did some of her classmates eat breakfast at school? She was shocked to hear that they didn’t have enough to eat at home, but then worried about what they ate over the weekend. And so was born Kylee’s Kare Kits for Kidz, care packages of food to carry children through the weekend. At first, Kylee’s goal was to help ten food-insecure children each week. She funded her initial efforts through yard sales, but the need grew quickly, and her project expanded through online appeals, food drives, “fill-a-truck” events and corporate sponsorships. An official 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, it now provides food to 570 children in the Leominster area. Kylee added drives for school supplies and also now provides meals over holiday breaks and through the summer months. Kylee was a frequent speaker throughout the area, as this program requires strong financial and volunteer community support to succeed.
   What people didn’t know was that Kylee’s own early history was marked by food insecurity. Until her grandmother became her guardian, her addicted mother could not care for her. In 2016, Kylee’s mother died. “As the word spread about her passing, my community, the same community I had sought to help, was very supportive of me. Many people reached out and shared their stories of losing a loved one to addiction.” This inspired Kylee to finally share the full story of Kylee’s Kare Kits for Kids and why the mission is so close to her heart.
   A first-year student at Bentley University now, Kylee is involved in the Women in Business Leadership Program. In her absence, “Kylee’s Kare Kits for Kidz is still running strong. We have created our “Junior Team,” a group of students in 5th-8th grades, who have learned how to pack the Kare Kits and hold fundraisers. One of the members of the Junior Team, Mia, is filling in as the interim “Kylee” while I am away at college.”
   Kylee McCumber graduated from The Winchendon School, where she received a scholarship for her service to others. As a four-year Service Learning Leader, she led a group that focused on food justice throughout the area. While at Winchendon, she helped earn a grant for $100,000 to partner with Tufts University on a hunger initiative for the elderly, which will be expanded to single-parent homes. Kylee is clearly living the credo that “regardless of your age, if you are passionate about an issue, you can take action and make real change.”

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

Luis Navarro

A 2020-2021 Phillips Alumni Scholar

   Luis Navarro arrived in the United States from Venezuela at the age of 17. Within three months, he was tackling a full course load at North Shore Community College (NSCC), navigating a new language and culture, and working to help support his family. A full plate for some, but not for Luis! A musician, he saw the need for a place for campus musicians to share their knowledge and forge bonds, so he created a Music Club, taking on all of the administrative work needed to create a new entity. With that experience and a growing desire to help others, Luis helped to launch the First-Generation Club, designed to help those students acclimate to NSCC.
   Additionally, Luis served as Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association, primarily liaising with and advising the presidents of campus organizations how to best fulfill their purposes. He was very committed to the TRIO Programs at NSCC, which are designed to assist first generation and low-income students, by recruiting other students and helping with programs. He also served as Vice-President of the Multicultural Society and helped with the mobile market for food-insecure students. Luis received numerous awards at NSCC, including four Distinguished Service Awards and the Lisa Milso Award for service and dedication to the student government.
   Having earned his Associate’s Degree in December 2019, Luis transferred to Suffolk University to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in the multidisciplinary major Political Science, Philosophy and Economics. Now at a four-year college, Luis qualifies for a Phillips Scholarship award. Despite starting Suffolk during a semester truncated due to COVID-19, he is already, of course, involved in campus life. Luis was honored to sing and play the National Anthem on his guitar at the NSCC commencement in May 2020. It is a breathtaking rendition of this patriotic song by one of the country’s newest citizens.

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

Cole Chizmadia

A 2019-2020 Phillips Alumni Scholar

   Cole Chizmadia has always wanted to be a teacher, and this desire to make a difference has influenced his whole life.
   As a volunteer at the preschool of Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT, from which he graduated in June 2019, Cole created his own lesson plans, devising activities and creative art projects appropriate to their different age levels. Additionally, he worked at a local elementary school’s after-school program, helping students with their homework and spending quality time with them.
   In other venues, he coached basketball, his other passion besides teaching. He worked with young athletes at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, giving back to a place he began to attend as a seven year old. In 2018, he was nominated for Wakeman Youth of the Year for his impressive involvement. Cole also dedicated time on Saturdays to teach basketball to children with special needs and developmental disabilities.
   Given all this, it is no surprise that he has chosen to attend Southern Connecticut State University (’23) in order to major in special needs education. What might be surprising, though, is that Cole received services during much of his school career to overcome a learning disability. “I have had to work twice as hard as all my peers to achieve the same things they have, but it finally all paid off. My disability has shaped me into the person I have become,” says Cole. The memory of countless teachers who helped him to develop the mindset that he could overcome anything feeds his desire to be a special needs teacher.
   At SCSU, he is also excited about working with the club Best Buddies, where college students are matched with children with disabilities. “Overall, I am really happy here. It is a perfect fit for me.”

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

Rosa Brito

A 2019-2020 Phillips Alumni Scholar

   A graduate of Chelsea High School (‘19), Rosa Brito has just started at Clark University in Worcester where the coursework is well-suited for her career goals in the health sciences field. Clark has exceeded her expectations in terms of the friendliness and sense of unity among the students; the numerous clubs offered; the support for students through mentors, peer advisors and tutoring; the Connections transition program for multicultural students; and even the food! “I love this university; I believe I made the best decision to attend Clark,” delights Rosa.
   Worcester is far from the small island of Brava in Cape Verde from which Rosa emigrated to the United States. Despite a late start speaking English, Rosa was an honor roll student at Chelsea High, challenging herself with AP courses and dual enrollment in community college. Very involved with her school community as a class officer, she also tutored, worked at the school store and ran track.
   From 7th grade on, Rosa was a member of REACH, an after-school program supporting Chelsea students. During high school, she served as an Assistant Group Leader and tutor there, working with middle school students. Rosa also served on the REACH youth advisory council.
   In the summers, Rosa worked in the St. Stephens Youth Program, creating science curriculum as a STEM specialist and later as lead counselor. Additionally, Rosa worked 12-20 hours per week with a second job in retail.
   Asked if she has become as involved at Clark as she was in high school, she responded, “I am a part of the Black Student Union, Caribbean African Students Association, and I was elected as my hall representative.” So, yes, she has!

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

Ashley Levesque

A 2018-2019 Phillips Alumni Scholar

2018-2019 Phillips Alumni Scholar (Messiah College ’22) Ashley Levesque graduated from Maine’s Scarborough High School in 2017, where she was active in Key Club, Student Council, and several sports teams. During her junior year of high school, she participated in a mission trip to Nicaragua and there met fellow missionaries who were participating in the World Race Gap Year program: a nine-month international mission trip. She felt herself drawn to follow in their footsteps, “escaping America’s mold in order to pursue the road less traveled.” She said, “As time passed I began to get a deeper urge and ambition to go. Consequently, on September 9th, 2017, I stepped off of American soil onto a plane to Cambodia.” The trip continued to Thailand, Honduras, Guatemala, and Ethiopia. She was teaching English at Buddhist schools, counseling victims of human trafficking, assisting patients at community hospitals, contributing to construction projects, and more.

This experience was deeply faith-confirming for Ashley. In her own words, “Throughout my trip, the thing that got me through the hard times, the good times, and the times where all I wanted was a pair of clean socks, was God’s love. It was in the midst of the scenery around me or the little toddler that gave me a smile and a wave or the widow who washed my feet.”

Since returning to the United States and moving on campus at Messiah College, where she is a member of the field hockey team, Ashley has continued to live a life that is grounded in her faith. “Transitioning from serving God in the bush of Africa to a turf field in America has opened up my eyes to see that I can have a radical impact wherever I go,” Ashley said. “The truth of the matter is that love is all around us and even in us, wherever we find ourselves in the world.”

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

John Khuc

A 2018-2019 Phillips Alumni Scholar

2018-2019 Phillips Alumni Scholar (Wentworth Institute of Technology ’22) John Khuc graduated from the Boston Latin School this past June. He still remembers when he entered the doors: “I was literally a sponge ready to soak in all the new things I could do.” After joining several clubs, he said “I felt like I was a flower blossoming!” Two volunteer organizations, Recycling Club and Wolfpack Volunteers, had an especially strong impact. “It was through volunteering that I developed a deep passion for helping others and creating strong connections with new people.” This inspired John to find volunteering opportunities outside of school, which is how he became involved with Boston Cares. Through Boston Cares, he has done a myriad of services for the community including knitting hats for babies, working in a food pantry, cleaning city streets, distributing food and care packages, and many more.

John also found jobs that were other-oriented, working as a tutor through both the All Dorchester Sports League and the Young People’s Project. “Both jobs allowed me to work with children and it was such a blessing to be able to not only teach them but also provide emotional support whenever they needed it. I was able to work with kids from low-income families which allowed me to relate and create the best experience for them.”

On top of the great causes John contributed to as a volunteer and a tutor, he found time to explore his interest in robotics through the Boston Latin School’s NUTRONS club. His growing love of STEM activities motivated him to choose a college with a strong computer science program.

This fall, John began his college career at Wentworth Institute of Technology, a school where he can major in computer science and continue his professional development through co-ops. He plans to become “an active innovator on the frontier of technological advancements” and to leave behind “a legacy I can come back to and be proud of!”

PHILLIPS ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Phillips Alumni Scholar Award goes to a new recipient of the scholarship who clearly exemplifies a “sense of other,” strong work ethic, academic strength and commitment to community service that are the hallmarks of the Phillips Scholar. The funds for the Alumni Scholar award(s) come from the generosity of Phillips Scholarship Alumni who donate so that others may have the opportunity to overcome the same financial barriers to education that they found. We are deeply grateful for the support of our alumni.

acceptable document types to upload

What are acceptable forms of documents to upload to my application?

Uploading Files to Your Scholarship Application

Please follow these instructions carefully! If you attempt to upload a document in an incompatible file format, all your other work on that page of the application will be lost.

File Naming and Saving

Apply these general tips about file naming and saving to all of the processes outlined below.

Tips on File Saving & Naming:

  • Please name the document something that you can easily recognize, for example, “Formal Essay.docx” or “Goals Essay.pdf”
  • Save the file on your desktop so that you can easily find it to upload in the appropriate field on your application.

Saving Other Files as PDFs

If while writing your essays, you have used Google Docs or Pages- the default word processing program on a Mac, Text Editor, etc., you will need to save each document as a PDF.

Also, htm or html files cannot be uploaded to your application. These are internet files (your financial aid information or Student Aid Report) that must be saved as a PDF before uploading to your application.

How to Convert Your Pages File to PDF:

  • After completing and saving your document in Pages, click on the File menu and select Print.
  • Under the printer menu, on the lower left hand side click on PDF and select “Save as PDF.”
  • The default application for opening your PDF on your Mac will be Preview. You can view your PDF here before uploading the file to your application.

How to Convert from Google Drive to PDF:

  • After completing and saving your document in Google Drive, click on the File menu.
  • Hover over “Download As” and select “PDF Document (.pdf).”

How to save a file as a PDF document in general:

  • Most files you can “Save As” a PDF document to your computer, then upload to your application.
  • If this does not work, try printing the file as a PDF. From the print menu, you can change the selected printer to “save as PDF” or “print to PDF.”

upload documents to application

How do I upload documents to my application?

To upload a file go to the Files tab of your application, click on “Upload File” box at far right of listed File Type (Student Aid Report, Financial Aid Award Info, Formal Essay, etc), navigate to the file on your computer that you want to upload, and select it. In the pop up box, hit “Done”. There will be a green box with “Yes” inside it, to signify the upload is complete. To the left of the green box is a “View File” link to check that the correct file is uploaded. If you need to upload a different file click on “Upload New Version” If you have questions, please email us at staff@spscholars.org or call 978-744-2111.

use an i Pad

Can I work on the application on a tablet?

The application can be completed on a computer, iPad or a tablet.  It is not suggested that it be completed on a phone. The application works best in Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers. It is suggested that Internet Explorer not be used.