East Providence High Grad a Winner in Statewide College Scholarship Competition

East Providence, RI -- The Rhode Island Foundation is sending an East Providence student off to college with a scholarship honoring Roger Williams, the state’s founding father. Haylee Mota won the four-year, renewable scholarship through the Foundation’s Carter Roger Williams Initiative, which was launched by philanthropists Letitia and the late John Carter.

“All of these students discovered inspiration in Roger Williams and in turn has an inspiring story of their own to share. It is only due to the commitment of the Carter family that we can offer students and their parents this opportunity to think big about their future,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation.

Mota was one of five students selected statewide based on their academic achievement, financial need, appreciation for Roger Williams’ values and record of community service. They are eligible to receive a total of up to $320,000 over four years. More than 70 students across Rhode Island competed for the scholarship assistance.

Mota attends East Providence High School and plans to attend the University of Southern California and major in in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

Her activities include an internship with Prepare RI, where she collaborated with a team to develop an app to streamline patient visitation scheduling practices during COVID-19 for some Rhode Island hospitals; competing on the FIRST Robotics team, which won the 2020 state Championship; and volunteering at Bridgewater Elementary School, where she helps a blind student learn how to use the Braille Note assistive technology device to complete class assignments.

In her application, Mota describes how, as a person with a vision-related impairment, she relates to Roger Williams.

“He deviated from what the community expected of him and forged his own path. Similar to Roger Williams, I have spent my life fighting against the expectations others have about what I can and cannot do. Throughout, I have stuck to my belief that I will set my own expectations,” she said.

The other recipients of 2021 Carter Roger Williams Scholarships are Ita Encarnacion of Providence, Joseph Grajales of Providence, Jayson Rodriguez of Cranston and Michael Salzillo of Providence.

In addition to the scholarships, the Carter Roger Williams Initiative hosts a website – www.findingrogerwilliams.com  -- that offers educational resources for students and educators and awards grants to schools to underwrite field trips to the State House.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $68 million and awarded a record $87 million in grants in 2020. Since its centennial five years ago, the Foundation has awarded more than $284 million in grants and has raised more than $328 million. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.