WPHCA Awards Scholarship to WPHS Senior from the Highlands
WPHCA Board Member Sonia Tatlock-Gagnon and scholarship winner Thiago Guimaraes De Oliveira.
The W.P. Highlands Civic Association, Inc. was founded to promote and advocate for the best interests of its residents and the city of White Plains. Our young people are an extremely important part of our community and we were very excited to recognize one of them last night at the WPHS awards ceremony.
There were several WPHS students from the Highlands who were excellent candidates for The WP Civic Association scholarship, all providing wonderful examples of leadership, social awareness, and dedication to their studies, even in the face of financial and personal hardship. However, one in particular stood out. On behalf of the W.P. Highlands Civic Association, Board Member Sonia Tatlock-Gagnon was honored to award a $500 scholarship to senior Thiago L. Guimaraes De Oliveira.
About Thiago
Though born in the United States, Thiago’s family moved to Brazil when he was 6 months old and didn’t return until he was in fifth grade. Even though he didn’t speak any English, Thiago didn't let that deter him from succeeding academically or socially and achieving the American Dream. Thaigo used that experience to help others like him feel included and represented.
In addition to maintaining a 3.5 GPA while taking rigorous coursework, Thiago is the Co- President of the WPHS Student Body. A true leader, he represents the student body in a professional manner. He enjoys planning school wide events so that students have a place to come together and socialize. When COVID-19 cases were spiking, Thiago knew that he had to help his community. He began an initiative to open a Booster Clinic to offer vaccines to students, their families, and elderly. In total 266 vaccines were given.
Thiago is a family-oriented person, successful student, and friend. In his spare time, he plays soccer and works at an eatery where he welcomes his peers as well as their families while they socialize. He volunteers at El Centro Hispano, Inc., a local center that helps, supports, and strengthens Hispanic families. As a first-generation student growing up with a single parent, he knows the struggles that others in the community are facing and feels he can be a huge asset as a volunteer.
Thiago will be attending NYU this fall.
The WPHCA is grateful to all who contributed to the WPHCA Scholarship Fund in order to make this possible. Thank you!
About the WPHCA Scholarship
WPHS Guidance Counselors select WPHCA scholarship candidates from the senior class based on the following criteria:
The student must live in the Highlands.
They should display leadership and/or be active within WPHS through clubs, sports or other activities OR display leadership outside WPHS through purposeful community service or volunteer work.
The student should have maintained a 3.0 GPA (unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as an IEP or 504 situation where a student is clearly demonstrating effort, or a student needs to work to support their family and that is impeding their academic progress).
Extra consideration to a need-based student or a student who has encountered and overcome hardship (whether that be learning disability, trouble at home, sickness etc)
The candidates are presented to the WP Civics Association Scholarship Committee and a recipient is determined based on how well they meet the above criteria..
Amount of award: $500