WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JULY 16, 2020 5
E. Elmhurst student receives Héctor Figueroa Scholarship award
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
One year aft er 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
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.”
Bragg, 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.”
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