Hello! I was studying hard for my final exams. I finished school a week ago and I was busy! But, I have a lot to tell everyone!

A reporter from the Clifton Journal Newspaper, Tony Gicas, interviewed me last week regarding my bear donation project. He also mentioned that he was informed by Kohl’s PR representative that I was not only the Kohl’s Care Scholarship award store winner but the regional winner. He is going to do an article on me regarding my bear donation “Project for Hope”. I am excited to see how it comes out!

bear donations

I am happy to inform that I am 1 of 74 youths who are eligible for a $10,000.00 Kohl’s Care Scholarship Program award. As I had mentioned, I was picked as the Clifton store winner, then moved on to win the regional. On the first round, Kohl’s sent me a $50.00 store card. That was nice of them. On the second round, Kohl’s awarded me a $1,000.00 college scholarship award. I was so happy to hear about it. If I win the main award, “Maybe my parents won’t have to pay for college!”

I want to thank everyone that donated a beautiful teddy bear on my last bear drive. We made so many kids happy and most of all, we gave them hope and a smile.

Additionally, a schoolmate from the 8^th grade, Lehi Arteaga, got really sick. He was hospitalized in Hackensack Hospital; where he received a bear from our donations. His mom said that she cried when she saw that a nurse was bringing him a teddy bear from “Cecilia’s project for Hope,” as his mom had donated a few bears in the past.