Recipient of the Hector L. Padilla Scholarship

The Hector L. Padilla Memorial Scholarship was created by the Hazleton Integration Project in memory of Hector L. Padilla, a young boy who died tragically in a hit and run accident. Hector was part of the first graduating class of the HIP After School Scholars Program. He was a smart caring student and a favorite of everyone in the center. To commemorate his legacy and continue his memory, the Hazleton Integration Project will offer an annual Scholarship to a High School senior student who has participated and grown through the Hazleton Integration Project’s programs. Carmen Padilla, Hector’s mother, was instrumental in developing the criteria for this scholarship as well as the selection of the first recipient.  

 After a thorough selection process, it was decided that the first recipient of the Hector L. Padilla memorial scholarship is Claifery Castillo, a Senior student at the Arts and Humanities School. In addition to maintaining a grade point average of 98.5, Claifery participated in our center through the summer camp and reading programs. Currently, she is completing a “Space Mural” that will be displayed inside the Hazleton One Community Center (HOCC) building. As a high school student, Claifery has volunteered more than 150 hours in the community center.  Claifery will receive a one-time award of $1,000 from the Hector L. Padilla Memorial Scholarship fund that will help her continue her education at the Maryland Institute College of Arts where she will pursue an emphasis in  (3D) Animation. Claifery identifies as an artist, creator and imaginative individual. She is the HAHS Swim Team Manager, a member of the National Honor Society, and is part of the Art Initiative Programs at HIP.  

The Hazleton Integration Project is very proud of Claifery’s achievements and honors and that she was selected as the first recipient to continue Hectors legacy and memory.