We are happy to announce the winners of the 2024 Albanian American Educators Association Scholarships!
This year, we awarded not only two AAEA Scholarships but also two endowed memorial scholarships honoring Alexander Thomas Delic and Gabriella Pereyra. We extend our deepest gratitude to their families for establishing these prestigious awards in support of deserving Albanian students.
Our winners exemplify academic excellence, community involvement, passion and motivation and exceptional essay writing skills. We're excited to see them embark on their college journeys this September!
Melisa Bujaj
Recipient of theAAEA Scholarship Award
Melisa’s essay entitled, "Never Forgotten, Never Forsaken, Dear Albania", she explores how the Albanian diaspora, with a strong global presence, particularly in New York City, fosters a vibrant community through businesses, parades, and cultural events.
The essay delves into Melisa’s own family history as part of this diaspora, forced to flee communist Albania in search of a new life. Despite leaving their homeland, preserving Albanian traditions remained a priority. Melisa acknowledges the challenges faced by immigrants, such as language barriers and cultural adaptation, while highlighting the crucial role families play in safeguarding cultural identity. The experience of being part of the diaspora allows Melisa to appreciate both Albanian and American cultures.
The essay concludes with a powerful sense of pride in Albanian heritage and Melisa’s future as a bridge between these two cultures. Her upcoming college education exemplifies the opportunities their new home offers, while the essay emphasizes the enduring resilience of the Albanian people throughout history.
Overall, Melisa’s essay serves as a personal reflection on the significance of cultural identity and the strength found within immigrant communities.
Isabella Ndokaj
Recipient of the AAEA Merit Scholarship Award
Isabella’s essay entitled, “Diaspora and Maintaining Cultural Identity” explores the complex experience of being a first-generation Albanian American.
Isabella witnesses the vibrant Albanian diaspora community in their surroundings but also acknowledges the hardships faced by immigrants, including her own parents who fled conflict. Despite initial resentment towards her parents' choice and feelings of isolation upon living in Albania, Isabella eventually understands their struggles and appreciates her rich cultural heritage. She discusses how growing up between two cultures presented challenges, but ultimately fostered a deep love for Albanian traditions. This experience resonates with other first-generation friends from various backgrounds, leading to beautiful cultural exchanges and a deep appreciation for diversity. Isabella explains how her upbringing in a religiously tolerant Albanian family instilled curiosity about the world and a desire to learn from others.
Adriana Ndokaj
Recipient of the Thomas Delic Memorial Scholarship Award
This essay entitled, "Krenaria", which means Pride in Albanian, Adriana, a young Albanian American woman, investigates the influence of her heritage on her. The essay discusses the historical context that shaped the Albanian diaspora. Isolation under communist rule and civil war hardships forced mass emigration, leading Albanians to miss out on living in their homelands within their rich culture.
Adriana explains how many have faced xenophobia and stereotypes about their communist, economically disadvantages and war-torn countries, the Albanian diaspora thrives in America. She explains how Albanians from Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo foster a strong sense of community that transcends specific origins and religious differences. Adriana finds common ground with her Chinese-American best friend, their shared experience as members of a diaspora creating a bridge between cultures. The essay concludes by celebrating the success of the Albanian diaspora in sharing their heritage globally. She talks about Dua Lipa, a prominent Albanian-British singer from Kosovo, who exemplifies success by promoting Albanian culture and challenging negative stereotypes.
Nicole Foto
Recipient of the Gabriella Pereyra Memorial Scholarship Award
Nicole’s essay, entitled, “The Art of Albania” talks about how the limited number of economic and career opportunities for growing generations leads many Albanians to migrate around the world. She describes her experiences as a child of Albanian immigrants who faced challenges due to frequent moves and language barriers. Despite these obstacles, her grandmother's unwavering support fostered a love for art and learning.
Nicole overcame language difficulties through drawing, science books, and sheer determination, eventually excelling in school and public speaking. Witnessing and experiencing the struggles of the Albanian diaspora has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine and advocate for better representation for her community. The essay concludes with the Nicole's pride in her Albanian heritage and how her resilience is in common with Albanians around the world.