The 2024 Lincoln Leadership Scholarship Recipients

In August 2023, we proudly announced that Communities in Schools of Eastern PA received funding for its Scaling for Success initiative, a three-year plan to expand our integrated student support programming to schools in four counties. One of these schools is Lehigh County’s Lincoln Leadership Academy. 

After a full school year of community, care, and empowerment, we celebrated Lincoln Leadership Academy’s inaugural CIS of Eastern PA graduating class. During this celebration, two students, Isaac Sabater and Rondiel Quinones, were awarded scholarships for their hard work and dedication to their education. 

Isaac will attend Lehigh-Carbon Community College to study business this fall. In just a year with his site coordinator, Isaac made an impression as a model student who works hard to achieve his goals. 

Both students attended  Lincoln Leadership Academy during the COVID-19 pandemic when school was entirely virtual. Isaac particularly struggled with the transition back to in-person learning. During this time, he built a relationship with J.P., the Director of Operations at Lincoln. 

J.P. became an important mentor for Isaac, ensuring he felt supported inside and outside of school. This level of support remained important through his senior year when they were introduced to CIS of Eastern PA and assigned their site coordinator, Mrs. Heather Annunziata. 

“I wish that Lincoln Leadership Academy had this program sooner,” Isaac said. “I believe that I would have really benefited from it.” 

Rondiel Quinones, our second scholarship recipient, will attend Penn State University—University Park this fall to study political science. During Rondiel’s senior year, he had to craft a service learning project to give back to his community. This project was a rewarding experience and even helped him strengthen his relationship with his CIS support staff. 

For his project, he collected supplies for Peaceable Kingdom, a local no-kill animal shelter. After his two-week collection period, he worked with his site coordinator and learning support teacher to bring the supplies to the shelter. When they dropped off the donations, they were even able to tour the newly remodeled shelter.

“Knowing that I was able to help in such a big way made me feel a sense of accomplishment,” Rondiel said. “I am thankful that CIS was able to support me with this project.” 

Congratulations to Isaac and Rondiel on their outstanding accomplishments. The CIS of Eastern PA team wishes you luck in your future endeavors! 

Isaac and Rondiel experienced the power of CIS's support for just one year—imagine the impact if they had it for longer! Help us extend our transformative services so more students throughout Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Monroe, and Chester Counties can thrive. Click here to donate and build brighter futures today.