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1st Annual Scholarship Gala
February 28th, 2025
On Friday, February 28, 2025, The Tia Maria Foundation proudly hosted its 1st Annual Scholarship Gala at The Westwood in Garwood, NJ. This unforgettable evening brought together community leaders, educators, philanthropists, and supporters to celebrate our mission of empowering students through education.
Harriette Martins-Szilvasi, a ranking board member as well as the only grandchild of Tia Maria, emceed the evening. She welcomed guests by highlighting the main theme of the night: that education is the key is achieving something greater than yourself.
Before the programming began, the opening invocation was read by Fr. Danny Santos Rodrigues, an incredible priest in Newark, New Jersey. Immeadiately following the invocation, soprano Margareth de Jesus sang the Star Spangled Banner.
The first speaker of the night, board member and founder of The Lee Vetland Memorial Fund Katie Vetland-Picado, recounted her love and admiration for her great-aunt, Tia Maria. Katie also laid out the amazing work that we do to support students and educators alike. Later in the evening, Katie also received the inaugural Hall of Fame Award for her philantrophic work and example.
Mrs. Kelly Mc Cracken-Villanueva, an educator from the Elizabeth school system, was honored with The Teachers' Plan of NJ Educator of the Year Award for truly making an impact on the students that she serves.
Mr. Andrew Szilvasi and Mr. Evan J. Chin, ranking board member, gave out 10 incredible raffle prizes to the winning guests. The raffle items were either donated by one of our sponsors or privately donated.
After watching video messages from Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa, Florida and U.S. Congressman from New Jersey, Jeff Van Drew, Founder & Chairman Gavin N. Szilvasi took the podium for the keynote address. Chairman Szilvasi said, "The Tia Maria Foundation was born out of a simple yet powerful belief: that education is the key to building stronger communities, and to shaping a future where every young person can achieve their dreams."
Following the acceptance of our Impact Award via video message by FOX News Anchor, Harris Faulkner, and the presentation of the Hall of Fame Award to board member, Katie Vetland-Picado, our 1st scholarship award was announced. Kate Genebroso, of Elizabeth High School, accepted the award for her will and pursuit of higher education while demonstrating persistence in achieving her dream of becoming a nurse.
The night concluded with the singing of Ave Maria by soprano Margareth de Jesus. Her incredible rendition of the classic hymn left guests in awe and with the sense that together, we can truly make a difference for the next generation of leaders.
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