Liberty High School senior Milena Garay (holding Moravian sweatshirt) is one of two Bethlehem Area School District students to earn a full-tuition scholarship to Moravian University. She is pictured at the scholarship acceptance event with, to her right, Moravian University President Bryon L. Grigsby, and to her left her mom, dad, and School District Superintendent Dr. Jack P. Silva.
March 26 began as a normal school day for Freedom High School and Liberty High School seniors Natalie Cain and Milena Garay: wake up, eat breakfast, and get ready for school. But this day turned out to be anything but ordinary.
While in class that day, Cain and Garay were sent to their schools’ administrative offices. “Everyone was staring at me because [I was called to] the principal’s office, and I didn’t even know where it was,” Garay recalls.
When both students arrived, they were met with a heartwarming surprise: School District Superintendent Jack P. Silva greeted them with heartfelt congratulations on being awarded the annual Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) Superintendent’s Scholarship. Overwhelmed with emotion, Cain admits, “I just broke down in tears because it was really emotional for me.”
The BASD Superintendent’s Scholarship is awarded each year to one Liberty and one Freedom High School student who demonstrate what it means to be a resilient, scholarly, and involved member of the Bethlehem community. Moravian President Bryon L. Grigsby and the superintendent of BASD Schools have partnered for nine years to delegate this scholarship to a senior from each of these schools.
Josh Tehonica, director of undergraduate recruitment at Moravian, works closely with both schools to select applicants from Freedom and Liberty who have already been accepted into the university. “We’re looking at students who have had some great achievements in high school and have overcome some obstacles,” says Tehonica. “We really feel they’re going to be not only good representations of the school they’re coming from, but good representatives of Moravian as well.”
Freedom senior Cain is heavily involved in dance, choir, and service to her community. Her dedication extends to volunteering at her dance studio, where she uses her skills to instruct young learners and assist with student events at Miller Heights Elementary School.
Motivated by the financial hurdles associated with pursuing post-secondary education in a family of four siblings, Cain pursued the BASD scholarship opportunity. With aspirations to a career in social work, Cain hopes to combine her knowledge with her passion for the performing arts to establish a dance studio where everyone has the opportunity to dance regardless of their financial constraints.
For Liberty senior Garay, school at Moravian has been a lifelong aspiration. Growing up, Garay would attend after-school programs hosted on the university campus, building connections within the Moravian community. “I always wanted to go to Moravian, [and] although it was financially difficult, I thought that I could make it work,” she says as she reflects on her journey.
While her older siblings paid for their education at Northampton County Community College, Garay hoped to attend Moravian by working as a babysitter and a St. Luke’s Hospital intern while actively seeking out academic scholarships.
Additionally, Garay is heavily involved in helping her family and the local community. As a first-generation American, she often helps her parents with interpreting for them in Spanish and plays a pivotal role in her father’s healthcare journey. Reflecting on her experiences in her personal scholarship essay, Garay noted, “Seeing the relief he felt when I was with him at doctor’s appointments and experiencing the world of healthcare opened my eyes to how I could utilize my empathy and knowledge of language and the medical field to bring the same care and relief to others.”
As Cain and Garay begin a new chapter of their academic journeys at Moravian University, their aspirations will continue to motivate their involvement as active members of the campus community.
Cain plans to continue pursuing her passion for dance by becoming involved with the performing arts on the Moravian campus. She aspires to continue working for the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley and plans to become a member of the Moravian University Dance Company. She hopes to foster a community of inclusivity where everyone feels empowered to express themselves through dance and pursue their dreams.
Meanwhile, Garay is driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry. With her sights set on a nursing career, she aims to merge her medical knowledge and interpersonal skills to provide medical care in the future. At Moravian, Garay anticipates becoming involved in clubs and community service initiatives on campus. She sees these opportunities as avenues to further enrich her experience at Moravian University while giving back to the community that has supported her throughout her journey. —Allison Ludlow ’24
Photos by Nick Chismar