Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship
Our Angela Pauling Scholars
Congratulations to the 2026 Recipients of the
Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship!!
Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc. is excited to announce the recipients of our 14th Annual Scholarship!
Thanks to our generous donors we awarded 4 scholarship awards this year!!
We look forward to the continued expansion of our scholarship program.
We thank you for your contributions and investment into our Scholars' success!
Mr. Alan Bautista Delacruz
Congratulations to Alan Bautista Delacruz, 2026 Recipient of the Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship.
Mr. Bautista Delacruz attended Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx, New York. He is described as a student that pushed himself by seeking out challenging academic courses and always approaching life with a “never give up” spirit.
School counselor Katiuska Acevedo states, “Alan understands the importance of giving back, and he does so with genuine compassion and sincerity. Alan's aspiration to major in dentistry is rooted in a deep-seated desire to help others feel confident and to spread kindness through his chosen career path. His belief in the power of a smile goes beyond mere words; it is a principle he lives by, and it is evident in how he interacts with everyone around him.”
Outside of the classroom, Alan was an active participant in student government and a varsity volleyball player. In these roles he developed strong teamwork, leadership, communication, discipline, and time management skills. He has applied and strengthened these skills devoting his time as a Church Youth Counselor mentoring younger students and supporting community members.
Mr. Bautista Delacruz plans to attend the University at Buffalo in New York and become an orthodontist. He states, “I want to combine healthcare, compassion, and service by helping patients improve both their dental health and self-confidence. I believe every person deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and should never feel ashamed of their smile, appearance, or identity. Confidence can change someone’s future, and when people feel accepted and supported, they are more likely to succeed in school, leadership, and their careers”
MMSI has no doubt he will make a positive impact in the orthodontic professional healthcare field one smile at a time!! We are excited for his future!
Ms. Kayleigh Diaz
Congratulations to Kayleigh Diaz, 2026 Recipient of the Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship.
Ms. Diaz attended Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx, New York earning her place on the honor roll every marking period. As a student leader she made a positive impact through participating in student government and mentoring her peers and younger students. According to School Counselor, Elizabeth Stout, Kayleigh has an “exceptional work ethic, impeccable character and determination. She is resilient and incredibly empathetic, a quality that fuels her aspiration to become a social worker and help others.”
Besides academics, Ms. Diaz participated in extracurricular activities, including the swim team, cheerleading and stunt team, fitness club, cosmetology club, and the yearbook club.
Ms. Diaz states, “Pursing higher education is not just a personal goal; it’s a foundation of the future I am determined to build. This scholarship will allow me to transform the losses that shaped me into a career dedicated to healing, compassion, and change.”
Ms. Diaz plans to attend Stony Brook University and study Social Welfare. This is in line with her goal to create safe places for those fighting unseen physical and mental battles. Her school counselor believes she will thrive in a college environment, enrich her college campus, and that her goal to become a social worker will make a positive impact on the lives of others. MMSI shares this sentiment and we enthusiastically await news of her inevitable success.
Ms. Abbygael Morrison
Congratulations to Abbygael Morrison, 2026 Recipient of the Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship.
Ms. Morrison attended Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx, New York and earned a consistent place on the principal’s list with a 93.67 GPA and induction into the National Honor Society. Her academic skills extended beyond the regular school year as she volunteered during the summer tutoring algebra students.
Through her strong communication and organization skills she served as Public Relations Manager for both the Student Government Association and the Media Club. Ms. Morrison often took on leadership roles to show that women can lead too. In these roles, she advocated for equality and inclusive environments where everyone would feel seen and respected.
Her artistic talents also shined through as she designed logos for local businesses showing initiative and real-world application while participating in the Summer Youth Employment Program. Ms. Morrison’s school counselor describes her as “a confident, creative and determined young woman who approaches every challenge with maturity and purpose.” – Katiuska Acevedo.
Ms. Morrison states, “As I go to college, I expect to continue to advocate for equality and fairness by joining the Student Government Association. I want to bring further awareness to the sexism that’s taught to children at such a tender age and create more inclusive spaces for all.”
MMSI has no doubt Ms. Morrison will achieve her social justice goals while she pursues her creative passions and academic objectives. She plans to attend City University of New York, Hunter College majoring in Studio Art with further aspirations within the fields of architecture and interior design.
Ms. Nusaiba Neesa
Congratulations to Nusaiba Neesa, 2026 Recipient of the Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship.
Ms. Nusaiba Neesa attended Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx, New York where she challenged herself with advanced coursework and excelled academically. As a result, she earned a full scholarship to Columbia University’s SHAPE Summer Program, a selective STEM initiative where she excelled in rigorous coursework and collaborative research.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Neesa served as a Climate Leaders Fellowship Ambassador, organizing recycling events and leading climate awareness workshops for younger students. There, she connected students and local residents through awareness campaigns that provided action-based solutions. She participated in student government, the Library Advisory Club, the Women Empowerment Club, and buildOn.
She was an active member of Desis Rising Up and Moving organization which advocated for immigrant and youth justice. She also volunteered with Dorot GENuine Connections which offered support to seniors facing social isolation. Her involvement in community service has been centered on creating spaces where voices are heard and valued. Ms. Neesa believes that strength is not silence but instead “is the courage to speak, to challenge, and to create change, not only for oneself, but for future generations.”
Ms. Neesa has been accepted at the State University of New York at New Paltz and plans to study biology as the first step in becoming a physician and healthcare professional. We eagerly await news of the future Dr. Neesa’s success.
We wish our 2026 Angela Pauling Scholars
great success and have no doubt they will not only reach their goals, but surpass them!
– Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc.
2013
Shalena Boca
MMSI's Inaugural Scholarship Recipient
Shalena attended
Pace University and majored in Business Management. Shalena graduated in 2017 and continued on to attain a graduate degree from Fordham University.
2014
Kelvin
Nyamadi
Kelvin attended
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology pursuing a degree in Aircraft Operations.
2015
Jessica
Mendez
Jessica attended
Mercy College pursuing her dream to become a Physician's Assistant.
2016
Jodie-Ann
Williams
Jodie-Ann is a
Culinary Arts Management major. She attended Johnson and Wales University
2017
Nina
Bosuo
Nina attended
Lehman College majoring in Biology with a Pre-Med focus. Her goal is to attend medical school to become a surgeon.
Nina graduated from Lehman in December 2020. The pandemic did not slow her down!
Well Done!!
2018
Nancy Asante
Nancy attends
Siena College pursuing a degree in Engineering, with aspirations of becoming an Aerospace or
Mechanical Engineer.
2019
Elizabeth
Hurtado
Elizabeth attends
Iona College pursuing a degree in Business Management with aspirations of developing her own cosmetics line and
salon brand.
2020
Shjan
Carter
Shjan attends
Howard University pursuing a degree in Marketing. Her goal is to become an entrepreneur and empower her community to attain financial freedom and to advocate for gender equity for women.
2021
Renee
Franklyn
Renee attends
Barnard College of Columbia University pursuing a degree in Biochemistry, followed by medical school. Her goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
2021
Brandon
Peterson
Brandon attends
Howard University pursuing a degree in Business and Finance. His goal is to excel in the world of finance and have an impact on gender equity and equal pay for women in the professional sports industry.
2022
Melanie
Francis
Melanie will attend
Hunter College pursuing a degree in Nursing, with aspirations of becoming a Pediatrician
2022
Christina
Huaman
Christina will attend
John Jay College pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, with aspirations of becoming a Forensic Psychologist.
2022
Milagros
Mejia
Milagros will attend Hunter College pursuing a Psychology degree, with aspirations of becoming a Child Psychologist and eventually a Lawyer.
2022
Samara
Richards
Samara will attend New York University pursuing a degree in Psychology. She aspires to have a private practice providing social work services for children, and to open an adoption agency.
2023
Curtis
Adu-Poku
Curtis will attend
Cornell University in Ithaca, New York pursuing a degree in Biology and Society, with aspirations of becoming a Medical Doctor.
2023
Stephanie
Albarracin
Stephanie will attend
Iona College in New Rochelle, New York pursuing
a degree in Nursing.
2023
Brittania
Brown
Brittania will attend
Iona University, New Rochelle, New York pursuing dual degrees in Business and the Performing Arts.
2023
Jennovia
Mais
Jennovia will attend the University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut pursuing a degree in
Criminal Justice. She aspires to work in law enforcement.
2023
Kennedy
Stewart
Kennedy will attend
Morgan State University, Baltimore Maryland pursuing a degree in Nursing.
2024
Khadija Ndao
Khadija will attend the University of Pennsylvania where she will major in political science and later pursue a law degree to become an immigration attorney.
2024
Alissa
Saunders
Alissa will attend Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College in New York and is pursuing a nursing degree.
2024
Brianna
Webber
Brianna will attend City University of New York School of Medicine in the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program pursuing a medical degree to become a pediatrician.
.
2025
Joy
Djatsou
Joy will attend Stony Brook University in New York where she will major in health sciences and pursue a career in pediatric nursing or ultrasound diagnostic imaging.
2025
Toni-Gaye
Guy
Toni-Gaye will attend the City College of New York majoring in Pre-Med with aspirations of becoming a surgeon. Her future specialties include plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, and forensic science.
2025
Daniel
Kasambalis
Daniel will attend Hunter College in New York School pursuing a degree in Computer Science and will pursue a career in computer programming, software and web design.
2025
Raven Savannah
Taylor
Raven will be attending Louisiana State University where she will major in
Film & Television,
and minor in Dance
2025
Scholar #5
Our 5th Angela Pauling Scholar for 2025 is very grateful for their award and respectively opted out for the website posting.
2026
Future Scholar
2026
Alan
Bautista Delacruz
Alan will attend the University at Buffalo in New York and plans to become an Orthodontist.
2026
Kayleigh
Diaz
Kayleigh will attend Stony Brook University and study Social Welfare with aspirations of becoming a Social Worker.
2026
Abbygael
Morrison
.
Abbygael plans to attend City University of New York at Hunter College majoring in Studio Art with further aspirations within the fields of architecture and interior design
2026
Nusaiba
Neesa
Nusaiba will attend the State University of New York at New Paltz and plans to study biology as the first step in becoming a Physician and Healthcare Professional.
Our Most Gracious Ancestor
Angela Pauling was one of the 24 founding members of MMSI.
Scholarship Background:
Angela Collette Pauling was one of twenty-four conscious and innovative women who founded the Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc. on December 14, 1978, at the Long Island University /C.W. Post Campus. Our Most Gracious Ancestor, Angela was a loving wife and mother of two children, but will be remembered for her kindness and joyful smile which she shared with all. Angela was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and fought valiantly until her transition on the afternoon of July 28, 2010.
The Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc. established this memorial scholarship for our late founder with a mission consistent with her lifetime commitment to business, fashion, management and providing assistance to those in need. The Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship was established for college-bound senior students who are from Angela Pauling's high school Harry S. Truman High School located in the Bronx, NY, and children of active MMSI members.
Application Eligibility Criteria:
The Angela Pauling Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to African-American and Latino college-bound high school seniors who have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of B or better, a SAT Score of 1100 or better and has been accepted to a four-year bachelor's degree program. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to community service and financial need based upon information on the Student Aid Report (SAR) and the FAFSA. Applicants are required to submit an essay, in not more than two double-spaced pages, on a woman's issue which they are concerned with as well as describing the work they have done in the community.
Discipline:
Careers in Business Administration, Management, Fashion and Human Service Fields.
Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc.
We Are The Shoulders Of Today For Tomorrow's Future