The Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights deals with stories of familial relationships and the struggle to afford higher education, so it is fitting that the show chose to bestow its inaugural “Graduate to New Heights” scholarship on Rebecca Cunarro of Stockholm, N.J. Clear Channel NY and the Broadway production presented Cunarro with a scholarship for $17,177.44 to continue her studies at Rutgers University at the curtain call of the July 29 performance of the show.
In the show, Nina, a Washington Heights resident achieves her dream of attending Stanford University, only to struggle with being able to continue her education when she loses her academic scholarship, and neither she nor her parents can afford tuition on their own. Nina’s story inspired In the Heights and Clear Channel NY to create the “Graduate to New Heights” scholarship to help deserving students like Nina. Funding for the scholarship came from auction packages on Clear Channel radio stations in the New York area including Z100, Lite fm and KTU.
Nominations were accepted last September and were judged anonymously based on sincerity, need and an honestly persuasive story. Cunarro’s touching tale of selflessness emerged as a clear winner. According to a release, when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, she put her college plans on hold to help care for her. While tending to her mother, Cunarro attended a local community college and worked three jobs. Despite it all, Cunarro was able to make the Dean’s List and transfer to Rutger’s University.
Rebecca Cunarro just completed her first year at Rutgers, where she has taken full responsibility for her tuition. It was her inspiring story and determination that made her stand out from all the other contest entrants. The “Graduate to New Heights” scholarship will help pay her tuition and other college expenses to further her dream of completing her college education. As for whether or not Nina returns to Stanford in the show, well, you’ll just have to go see In the Heights on Broadway.
Photo courtesy of The Hartman Group.