East Elmhurst journalism student receives
fi rst-ever Héctor Figueroa Scholarship award
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.12 COM | JULY 17-JULY 23, 2020
education will never
abandon you and with
your knowledge, you can
change the world, enlightening
others along
the way.”
Alvarez was one of
31 recipients to receive
scholarships of up to
$32,000 to students of
members of 32BJ SEIU,
the largest property services
union in the country.
Figueroa’s wife Deidre
presented Alvarez
with his scholarship.
“The legacy of Héctor
Figueroa, the late leader
of 32BJ SEIU, lives on
in our union every day,”
32BJ SEIU President
Kyle Bragg said. “Héctor
devoted every moment of
his life to fighting for justice
for others. He was a
thoughtful, humble and
impactful leader who
continues to inspire us
all.”B
ragg, a Rosedale
resident, was executive
vice president last year
when he automatically
assumed leadership last
year under the union’s
constitution just days after
Figueroa’s passing on
July 11, 2019, age 57.
“This year we’re excited
to unveil a new scholarship
in his honor. The
Héctor Figueroa Scholarship
award celebrates
a student who most embodies
the pursuit of
community activism and
social justice. I am proud
that this award, in his
name, is going to Christopher
Alvarez, who will
continue the fight for
justice as he embarks on
an advanced graduate
degree in journalism,”
Bragg said. “I am confident
he will carry on
Héctor’s legacy. I am so
proud of all of this year’s
recipients, they stand for
hard work, integrity, and
the American Dream,
and in trying times like
now, I am optimistic that
the future of tomorrow is
in good hands.”.
In addition to watching
old cinema and documentaries
in his spare
time, Alvarez also enjoys
connecting with his fans
on social media reminding
them that life goals
are worth living fighting
for no matter one’s limitations.
“I have always liked
the quote, “You were
born an original, don’t
die a copy.’ And this is
what I want to tell the
whole world,” Alvarez
said. “We are all beautiful
in our own way. We
are all smart in our own
way and we are all talented
in our own way. You
don’t need to change for
anyone or be approved
by anyone. Love yourself
first and accept who
you are so you can be the
light for everyone else.”
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com
or by phone at (718) 260–
4538.
BY BILL PARRY
One year after the
powerful labor leader
Héctor Figueroa of Jackson
Heights died of a
heart attack, his union,
32BJ SEIU, unveiled a
new scholarship in his
honor.
East Elmhurst resident
Christopher Alvarez,
22, a survivor of
a rare disability and a
graduate of Adelphi University,
where he was his
class valedictorian, will
attend Columbia University
in the fall to pursue a
master’s degree in journalism.
The son of Colombian
immigrants, Alvarez was
born with thanatophoric
dysplasia, a severe skeletal
disorder. His doctors
said he would only live
for five years.
“I am a disabled young
man who has spent his
life proving how abled I
am through hard work
and determination along
with a commitment to
staying and spreading
positivity,” Alvarez said.
“Real gifts are those that
will stick with you for
a long time and for me
education is the greatest
gift. If I am given the opportunity
to do my Ph.D.
in journalism, I would do
it in a heartbeat because
TRUST
HAS A PLAN.
We never give up on him
– so he won’t either.
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