Maryam Abbasi-Mivehkar receives scholarship

Sussex County — Maryam Abbasi-Mivehkar, a student at Sussex County Community College, recently received a $1,500 scholarship to help with her college expenses. The New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages and Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL/NJBE) selected Ms. Abbasi-Mivehkar as their 2006 scholarship award winner. NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc. is an association of educators and administrators dedicated to the instruction of English Language Learners at all levels of public and private education. Their interests include classroom practices, research, curriculum development, funding, employment and socio-political concerns. Ms. Abbasi-Mivehkar was nominated for the scholarship by her advisor and ESL (English as a Second Language) Program Coordinator, Veronica Struck-Pause and Jim Rawlins, Assistant Professor of English at SCCC. “Maryam Abbasi-Mivehkar is one of those rare students whose gentle manner and enthusiasm for learning captivates her instructors and fellow classmates,” said Ms. Struck-Pause in her nomination letter for Abbasi-Mivehkar. Struck-Pause continued, “One of Maryam’s most notable characteristics is her fortitude. I have been impressed by her ability to remain positive and to persevere despite obstacles. She was a practicing nurse mid-wife in her native Iran, and although the NJ Board of Nursing has placed many barriers in Maryam’s path, she has never floundered nor complained. Rather, she very quietly, but determinatively is pursuing courses which will assist her in transferring to a nurse midwifery masters program.” In addition to the recommendations, Abbasi-Mivehkar was required to write an essay, “How the ESL Program at My College Has Changed My Life.”