NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The first Sr. Dorothy Ann College of New Rochelle Hall of Fame Scholarship was announced by The College of New Rochelle’s president, Judith Huntington, at the Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame Luncheon held at the Rye Town Hilton on March 8, 2013.
In making the announcement, President Huntington said, “We are proud that Sr. Dorothy Ann Kelly, OSU, our 11th president, is a member of the Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame. It is particularly fitting that we are presenting this scholarship at an event that brings together and celebrates women because at The College of New Rochelle we have been empowering women to go on to great accomplishment since 1904, when we were founded as the first Catholic college for women in New York State.”
The Sr. Dorothy Ann College of New Rochelle Scholarship is a $5,000 merit grant awarded to a student who is a high school leader within her community. The recipient must demonstrate academic achievement with a minimum 3.0 GPA and score 1,000 or higher on their SAT. This scholarship also includes a Room Grant, valued at $4,000 annually. Both are renewable for four years as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.
The winner of the inaugural scholarship is CNR freshman Claudia Benitez.
Nominated by her guidance counselor at White Plains High School, Claudia served as the Student Government Vice President, and Peer Leader. Under her leadership, the Student Government carried out numerous traditional events, such as the Leadership Overnight, Club Fair, the WPHS Spirit Week, a school-wide Food Drive, Book Drive, Relay for Life, and Toy Drive. She attended the New York State Council of Leadership and Student Activities Conference.
At The College of New Rochelle, Claudia is majoring in Business with a minor in Economics. She is a member of the Honors Program and on the Honors Board. She is a member of the Student Government Association, representing first year students. A former White Plains Tiger, she is now a CNR Blue Angel, as a member of the swim team.