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Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club press release & photo
The Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club presented its Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) awards at a breakfast meeting March 25 at the Olympic Restaurant in Kenmore. The award highlights high school seniors who have overcome challenges and achieved success at school and in their personal lives.
Ashley Adames Perez was chosen by Grand Island High School to be one of the five recipients of the award.
Ashley, accompanied to the breakfast by her mother, Clairis Manuela Perez Matos, came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic at age 15 knowing only “hi” and “bye” in English.
She embraced the challenges she is still facing to improve her English skills, according to Grace Butler, her guidance counselor. Ashley has dedicated herself to passing Regents exams, and her incredible perseverance and positive attitude show she has overcome adversity, Butler said.
“I moved to the U.S. in search of a new life, but in the process, I found myself,” Ashley said in her essay.
She joined Audrey Balsdon from Mount St. Mary Academy, Madison Smith from Cardinal O’Hara, Raena Baglio from Kenmore East, and Jackson Mangone from Kenmore West high schools at the ceremony.
Each student received a framed certificate and a monetary award from Tami Stengel, emcee and a member of the exchange judging team.
The committee will select one of the five students to be in the Exchange District competition with a $2,000 prize. The student chosen from this district will compete for the National A.C.E. award – a $20,000 scholarship.
The Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club meets at 8 a.m. Wednesdays at the Olympic Restaurant in Kenmore. All are welcome.
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
