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

Laura graduated from the Robert Treat Academy charter school and plans to attend Portsmouth Abbey, a private boarding school in Rhode Island.

North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. stands with the sister of scholarship winner Laura Shipman, Newark Public Schools Advisory Board member Josephine Garcia and Councilman at Large Carlos Gonzalez.

Laura is interested in science. She attended the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer program twice, taking bay ecology and introduction to the biomedical sciences.

"This has helped spark my interest in science, and the teaming I received from CTY has helped me in my studies," she said.

In school, Laura has participated in many activities. She has been a peer tutor, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, ran the school newspaper club and yearbook, played the clarinet in the school band as well as sang in the school chorus.

Outside of school she has helped donate and collect hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and other winter clothing to children who need it for mitten drives.