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 theAAEA 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.
2023 Scholarship & Grant Recipients
Albana's project, designed to take students on an educational trip to the United Nations, stands out for its innovative approach to teaching global citizenship. This unique venture aims to provide children with a real-world understanding of the UN and its pivotal role in addressing global issues. By making such a complex institution accessible and engaging for young learners, Albana is fostering a deep sense of connection and responsibility towards global affairs.
The AAEA, dedicated to promoting education and lifelong learning, finds Albana's project to be a perfect embodiment of these values. The focus on the UN's initiatives and its critical role in global matters is crucial in empowering our young learners to become informed, compassionate global citizens. This project not only promotes critical thinking but also encourages an active engagement in discussing and devising solutions for global challenges.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Albana Hykaj-Idrizi for this well-deserved recognition. Her project is a testament to the transformative power of education in inspiring positive change and empowering young minds.
AAEA is proud to announce this year's top three High School awards for best written essay.
Victoria LaBella
"Nurturing Resilience" is a captivating and thought-provoking essay by Victoria LaBella, the top winner of this year's AAEA scholarship fund for the best essay written. Victoria beautifully articulates the profound impact of her Albanian heritage on her character and aspirations. Drawing inspiration from her mother's journey as a war refugee, Victoria recognizes the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination that define her Albanian identity. Her mother's resilience in the face of adversity has instilled in Victoria a belief that no obstacle is insurmountable. Growing up in a household that cherishes tradition, Victoria internalized important values such as respect, kindness, and empathy, which have guided her interactions and fostered harmonious relationships. Witnessing her mother's unwavering loyalty, even amidst challenging circumstances, has inspired Victoria to emulate the same steadfast commitment in her own life. These invaluable lessons have shaped her aspirations and propelled her forward, driving her resolute determination to excel academically and professionally. Victoria's unwavering drive to create a better future for her family while pursuing her passion for biomedical science and radiology reflects the strength and resilience ingrained in her Albanian heritage. Her essay stands as a testament to the transformative power of embracing one's cultural identity and overcoming obstacles to achieve personal and professional success.
Franceska Drejaj
"My Last Name" is an award-winning essay by Franceska Drejaj, the second winner of the AAEA Scholarship fund for the best essay written. In this captivating piece, Franceska delves into the profound significance of her last name and the journey it represents. Throughout the essay, she candidly reflects on her apprehension towards award ceremonies, particularly due to the recurrent mispronunciations of her name. However, she undergoes a transformative realization as she embraces the mispronunciations as an integral part of her unique story, understanding that her last name has become her distinct identity. As a first-generation American with Albanian and Korean heritage, Franceska
cherishes her last name as a symbol of her family's history and the sacrifices they made. It serves as a constant reminder of her father's arduous journey from Albania to America and the challenges he overcame. By honoring her last name, Franceska honors her father's struggles and finds the motivation to pursue her dreams and embrace her cultural heritage with pride. Her remarkable essay not only highlights the power of a name but also exemplifies the resilience and determination that propel individuals towards personal and academic success.
Blendor Thaqi
He is described by his teachers as “an exceptional young man with excellent grades resulting from diligent work habits.” His high class ranking due to his ability to challenge himself with honors courses and extra credit work. Blendor is very well liked and respected by both his teachers and his peers.
"The Journey of Heritage" is an exceptional essay by Blendor Thaqi, the third-place winner of the AAEA Scholarship fund for the best essay written. Blendor reflects on the profound influence his parents have had on shaping his life. Raised by hard working parents who persevered through the hardships of war and embraced their Albanian identity, Blendor witnessed their resilience and unwavering determination. As immigrants to the United States, his parents faced numerous challenges, relying on their Albanian community for support. Despite the language and cultural barriers, they worked tirelessly to create a better future for themselves and their family. Blendor's upbringing was deeply rooted in Albanian culture, and he quickly realized the sacrifices his parents made for him. Motivated by their experiences, he began excelling academically, receiving recognition and awards for his hard work. Guided by his parents' dreams and struggles, Blendor achieved remarkable academic success, graduating with honors and receiving scholarships from prestigious institutions such as Manhattan College, Pace University, and Fordham University. He plans to continue his educational journey, driven by his desire to provide his parents with a life free from worries and struggle. Blendor's powerful essay encapsulates the transformative power of heritage and the enduring impact of parental sacrifice on one's path to success.