North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. congratulates Elizette Santana on receiving a scholarship from the Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association.

Elizette is a graduate of Park Elementary and will be attending Christ the King in the fall.

North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. stands with Newark Public Schools Advisory Board member Josephine Garcia, scholarship winner Elizette Santana and Councilman at Large Carlos Gonzalez.

Elizette came to the United States from the Dominican Republic when she was 7 years old.

"I felt nervous and anxious especially because I wasn't very fluent in English and I didn't know anybody," Elizette said.

Elizette said she began to struggle in school in the sixth grade, but by the seventh grade, she transferred schools and began to thrive.

"That seventh grade year was a very important year," she said. "It taught me a whole lot about new friends and what it feels like to have a second family. My family is very supportive of me, which has given me motivation, which has brought me back to my interest in school."

In eighth grade, Elizette earned straight As. "Not only was I thriving academically," she said, "but I was very engaged throughout the school. I joined the Student Council and I have helped with many events throughout the school."