Staten Island Students Honored With Scholarships At St. Clare’s For Community Service Achievements: UPDATED

Staten Island Students To Be Honored At St. Clare’s

Editor’s note: We’ve previously covered a ceremony honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe and the spelling bee that followed at Sacred Heart School.

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, immediately following the 5:00 PM Mass at the Church of St. Clare, we will proudly present three high school students and two middle school students with scholarships recognizing their exceptional commitment to community service and social impact.

These young leaders have gone above and beyond—not for applause, but to make their neighborhoods better. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their impact deserves to be seen.

As the founder of Cmtyhelp, I’ve witnessed how powerful social media can be. But even in a digital age, nothing compares to the influence of local voices, trusted news outlets, and the strength of community-focused storytelling.

Reginald George(Founder of Cmtyhelp App); Nicholas Nigro(Winner of $1000 HS scholarship);Jenna Ruiz(Winner of the $700 HS scholarship),Glenda Peraj(Winner of the $250 HS scholarship);Nicholas Amore(Winner of $500 Middle school scholarship);Orion Peraj(Winner of the $250 Middle school scholarship) and Rev.Fr.Arthur Mastrolia(Pastor of church of St.Clare,Staten Island). (left -right)

These students represent the best of who we are and the hope of who we can become. Let’s celebrate them together—and remind the world that leadership starts with service.

Here  is more info about the students who won the scholarships: 

High School Scholars

1. Nicholas Nigro – $1,000 Community Service Scholarship
2. Jenna Ruiz – $700 Social Impact Scholarship
3. Glenda Peraj – $250 Game Changer Scholarship

Middle School Scholars

1. Nicholas Amore – $500 Youth Impact Scholarship
2. Orion Peraj – $250 Future Leader in Service Scholarship

Under the leadership of Fr. Arthur Mastrolia, Pastor of the Church of St. Clare, a groundbreaking collaboration is helping shape the next generation of leaders in Staten Island. By partnering with Cmtyhelp, a startup dedicated to promoting youth service and community engagement, St. Clare is taking a bold step toward fostering emotional intelligence, leadership, and purpose-driven action among young people.

Fr. Mastrolia, a firm believer in the importance of personal and emotional development, has embraced the mission of Cmtyhelp—a digital platform that helps manage and track meaningful service hours while recognizing youth contributions through scholarships, rewards, and recognitions.

This Saturday, June 21, following the 5:00 PM Mass at St. Clare, the church will award three scholarships to high school students for their demonstrated social impact through community service. Additionally, two middle school students will be recognized and awarded scholarships to encourage their continued commitment as they enter high school. Unlike traditional scholarships based solely on academic or athletic achievements, these awards honor character, leadership, and community involvement.

Our goal is to equip young people with more than just academic credentials—we want them to be prepared for life, for the job market, and for the responsibilities that come with adulthood. By recognizing their service, we’re helping to build a community-minded generation.

Cmtyhelp is also fostering economic growth by partnering with local businesses that offer promotional digital discounts through the app. Participating establishments include Nonna’s, Cole’s Dockside, Patrizia’s of Brooklyn, Richmond Diner, Mike Jr’s, and Supreme Home Renovations. Anyone who signs up for the app can access these exclusive discounts.

A portion of the proceeds generated through increased foot traffic at these businesses is reinvested directly into the Church of St. Clare community. These funds will support a meaningful cause: the renovation of the parish school.

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This initiative creates a powerful cycle of support—engaging youth, uplifting local businesses, and reinvesting in the heart of the community. Cmtyhelp and St. Clare’s vision is clear: build a stronger future by investing in the next generation today.We would like to expand into many more local communities in the Staten Island area,New York and nationwide to boost the local economies!

To learn more or to join the movement, visit www.cmtyhelp.com or download the Cmtyhelp App.

Awardees

1.Nicholas Nigro, Jenna Ruiz and Glenda Peraj (Highschool students)

2.Nicholas Amore and Orion Peraj (Middleschool students)