Shen. Valley students recognized for outstanding achievements, prestigious scholarships

SHENANDOAH – Two outstanding Shenandoah Valley seniors were recognized at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

Jasmin Hurtado Olayo was awarded two highly competitive and prestigious scholarships: the Horatio Alger Scholarship and the James C. Curvey Endowed Scholarship & Fellowship.

The former included a trip to Washington D.C. as one of only around 100 scholars. She was also one of three students featured in a video about the program.

“It was more than just a scholarship. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she shared at the school board meeting. “I got to do a lot of things, I got to go to the Capitol and meet all these people.”

She joked that she was able to try caviar and “it’s not good.”

Referring to the mentorship and support opportunities the program also offers, she said, “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.”

She is also one of two Curvey scholars Shenandoah Valley has this year. The program provides substantial financial assistance and unique enrichment opportunities for students from Shenandoah Valley, Mahanoy Area, North Schuylkill, Marian Catholic, and Nativity BVM attending Villanova University.

Hurtado Olayo and Jourdain Karvois were named Curvey scholars this year. Waite said that, since 2016, SV students have received the honor in all but three years.

“You’re going to go up against some bright kids,” Solicitor Robert Matta told the two students. He went to Villanova as well and his son also received the Curvey scholarship. “You’re going to go against students who went to private schools, from Connecticut, Jersey, and all over the world. Remember this: you can compete with them, if you put your mind to it.”

“This district, our students here, are making an effort and showing what they can do,” Waite said.

Micquelynn Kapuschinsky contributed to this report.

The article Shen. Valley students recognized for outstanding achievements, prestigious scholarships first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.