Rene Jimenez

Jimenez

“Similar to many other scholars , I've done well at school, academically as well as socially, but being a College Scholar is much more than that. It is being able to sit down and think about what you want and what it will take to achieve it.”

  • Program: 2011 College Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: New York, NY
  • Hometown: New York, NY
  • Age: 18

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience:  The Foundation early on recognized the potential and promise of Rene Jimenez, a hard-working youngster who grew up near the tip of Manhattan within view of the Harlem River, across from Yankee Stadium.  The Foundation envisioned just how far the young man had come from his first day of school not being able to utter a word in English.  Rene didn’t let the decision makers down.  At a New England boarding school he excelled in the classroom and during summers took full advantage of various programs including the Choate Young Writer’s Workshop, the Duke University Writing Camp and international travel. 

Profile: Rene was just four years old when his family brought him to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic.  His story should be an inspiration to other newcomers to America.  Beginning school in New York City, he only spoke Spanish.  Rene struggled mightily to fit in and learn English. “Each night after work my dad would come home and sit down with my mom, and he’d have two heavy dictionaries and all my homework spread out. One dictionary was English to Spanish, and the other one was Spanish to English. They spent countless hours with me helping me develop my work skills.”  Now, as the young man ventures off to college, Rene has developed a passion for his adopted language and adopted country. He left the streets of Manhattan where he grew up for the quiet setting of boarding school in rural Connecticut.  And it was at the exclusive Westminster School that Rene showed what he was made of – hard work, courage, determination and passion.  Over the main entrance of Westminster is the school code:  “Grit and Grace”.  Rene lived those words each day. 

Inspiration: Rene’s parents helped make the transition from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. as seamless as possible for their son, and he’ll forever be grateful for the sacrifices they made for him.  On the academic level, one of Rene’s teachers in elementary school, and then middle school in NYC, John Rajeski, had a lasting impact on Rene.  “If it wasn’t for his dedication and determination I would not be where I am today.” 

Aspiration:  Since Rene is “tri-lingual” (Spanish, French, English), he hopes to eventually be involved in business on an international level. 

Making a Difference: For his community service component at school, Rene helped tutor youngsters.  A pivotal moment for him was watching one of his students smile after reading a full sentence.  “It may seem small, but that day I felt the same joy as that youngster.  I had been working with this student for over a year or so, and she grew so much during that period.” 

Accolades: In 2010 Rene was named an Alumni Scholar at the Westminster School,

Interesting Fact: Rene admits to being a “bit of a nerd...as well as a philosopher.”

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