| |
Gemini Shippers Association Scholarships
Awarded
FOUR ITM MAJORS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
We are pleased to announce that the Scholarship Selection
Committee comprised of Sara Mayes, President of
Gemini Shippers Association, scholarship donor, and ITM
advisory board member; Nick Barratt, Associate Editor
& Manager of the Foreign Policy Association as well as ITM
advisory board member and outstanding ITM alumnus; and
Bridget Connolly, President of the International Trade
Students Association (ITSA), has chosen Alba Tirado
as the recipient of the 2008-09 Gemini Shippers Association
Scholarship.
In her selection as the scholarship recipient, the committee
recognized Alba primarily for her passion for
international trade, the depth of her volunteering
activities, her ability to listen, as well as the
consistency of her oral and written presentations.
|
 |
Alba was involved in the New Orleans
restoration project, gutting houses to the core to
help homeowners to save on costs involved in
removing rotten furniture, mold-infested walls, and
the like. She was also involved in Midnight Run, a
program that collects and hands out apparel and food
to the less fortunate New Yorkers. In addition, she
collects clothing for distribution to the
underprivileged in the Dominican Republic twice a
year. |
In her application for the Gemini Shippers
Scholarship, Alba expressed her desire to become an
international buyer, consistently applying her analytical,
negotiations, and marketing skills as well as expertise in
international trade.
The same committee also selected Andrea Reyes,
Lissette Rosario, and Amanda Joseph to receive
the Gemini Shippers ITM 2008 Practicum Scholarship traveling
to India in January 2009.
|
Andrea joined ITM after a
six-week teaching stint at an orphanage in Uganda.
Her experience there enabled her to realize the
inextricable connection between her passion for
fashion and philanthropy that could take her back
there possibly as the founder of a non-profit
organization that would import used clothing,
recycle them into home goods or ready-to-wear ladies
garments, and export them to other countries.
In addition to her skills in patternmaking and
technical design, Andrea has a keen appreciation for
international trade issues as exemplified by her
lauded International Trade project on the Southern
African Customs Union. |
 |
She is currently employed as a technical designer at Ingear
Swimwear, creating technical packages for well-known brands
like Jessica Simpson.
|
Following a challenging scholastic
journey that took her from the public schools in the
Bronx to FIT, Lissette found her passion for
international trade at a class the department
offered on it and plans to supplement her ITM
education with a master of international trade
policy at The London School of Economics or master
of international relations at Oxford University. She
plans to use this background to become a world trade
policy expert, develop trade policy, then go on to
law school. |
 |
Lissette plans to increase her involvement with the
International Trade Students Association, aiming to help
organize the Senior Recognition Day ceremony in the near
term and to establish a relationship with Columbia
University’s School of International Public Affairs.
|
 |
Amanda’s interest in
international trade and marketing stems from her
fascination with different cultures, values,
languages, social structure, and customs. She
learned about this vital aspect of international
business during the ITM practicum to Panama last
January and believes that the ITM practicum to India
in January 2009 will further strengthen her skills
in the area. |
She first volunteered for community service
at the age of seven, feeding people with less supportive
families, disabilities, and difficulties making ends meet.
Amanda continued her charitable activities during her school
years, helping out with pizza socials and oyster festivals,
raking leaves, cleaning gutters and nature parks, and
painting. She helped to coach soccer during the Special
Olympics and donated her car to PALS, an organization that
enables the disabled to pursue active lifestyles. During her
breaks, Amanda continues to volunteer at Letti Dent
elementary school, grading papers as well as tutoring and
reading to second graders. She also volunteered for timing
runway walks and holding VIP seating at the Y3 fashion show.
With her international trade background in mind, Amanda
aspires to pursue a career in marketing research or
international law.
In their selection as the scholarship recipients, Alba,
Andrea, Lissette, and Amanda were recognized by the
Selection Committee primarily for their fervent focus on
international trade, their tenacity in overcoming
significant obstacles, their likely future contribution to
the industry, and their potential to be the best ambassadors
of ITM.
The judges were very impressed with the applicants, noting
how well they deserved to be considered for the
scholarships. In the future, they hope to see more
applicants deeply involved in organizing and executing the
activities of the department.
We hope that you will all join us in congratulating Alba,
Andrea, Lissette, and Amanda for their
achievements. |
|
