Garden of Dreams has provided nearly $6 million in Inspire Scholarships to more than 100 deserving young people. As a result, our scholars have attended such universities as Harvard, Columbia, Howard, Spelman, New York University, as well as outstanding institutions to learn valuable trades. Following graduation, several Inspire Scholarship recipients have gone on to become nurses, PhD candidates, software engineers, and investment bankers to name a few, and we can’t wait to see the ways they change the world!
This year, we awarded 16 Inspire Scholarships to incredible GDF young people, each with their own unique story and challenges but all with the common goal of making their dreams come to reality!
London’s Scholarship Surprise
Meet London – she’s been a part of our Garden of Dreams family since the fifth grade and this year she finally had her moment to shine as a solo performer in our Talent Show.
That wasn’t London’s only big moment, she was also selected as a 2024 Inspire Scholarship recipient. On London’s 18th birthday, she headed to a custom fitting with a New York City fashion designer who tailor-made London’s Talent Show wardrobe. She may have thought she was in a dream after selecting the perfect dress, but little did she know she was about to receive the surprise of a lifetime when the designer presented her with a $60,000 Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship to support her college education at Clark Atlanta University. Now more than ever, London’s dreams are becoming reality, and she joins an outstanding cohort of Inspire Scholarship recipients.
Isis’s Scholarship Surprise
Isis began her journey with Garden of Dreams as an impressive and passionate MSG Classroom student in the fall of 2022. Just a few months later, she sang in the 2023 Talent Show and amazed the entire crowd with her performance!
This year, we surprised Isis with her $60,000 Inspire Scholarship live on Good Day New York with Knicks legend, John Starks, by her side. Her parents were also there to celebrate this special, life-changing moment. While Isis is no stranger to life’s challenges, this day was one of pure joy. Isis broke into happy tears when she saw her check and said “I’ve never seen so many zeroes!” She will be attending SUNY Brockport this fall, and we can’t wait to see her continue to pursue her dreams.
Oscar’s Scholarship Surprise
Oscar is one of the longest-standing members of the Garden of Dreams family. At age three, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and turned to dance as a form of physical therapy. Not long after, he got the chance to to showcase his talents on the Great Stage as part of the Talent Show, and feeling the cheers of the crowd brought Oscar and his parents immense hope, joy, and solace.
Oscar beat cancer and has made a full recovery. Since then, he has participated in our MSG Classroom mentorship program and Garden of Dreams Nights at Knicks and Rangers games, performed at Jones Beach with legendary band O.A.R., and more. We’re so proud of him! He is beloved by all Garden of Dreams staff, Board members, celebrities, and more. And Oscar returns the love. He says:
“The Garden of Dreams Foundation did not make an impact on my life. They crash-landed on a dying baby and gave it a life. Without Garden of Dreams there would be no Oscar.”
Oscar was surprised with his $60,000 Inspire Scholarship live on WPIX11 with Rangers Legend, Adam Graves, next to him, and his dad cheering him on backstage. Oscar will be attending Marymount Manhattan College to study Musical Theater. Go, Oscar!
Join us in congratulating all of our 2024 Inspire Scholars, and check out the incredible schools they will be attending in the Fall!
- Aneudy Carmona Castro – Manhattan College
- Daniel Carnevale – Berklee College of Music
- Nicholas Eklund – Western Connecticut State University
- Christian Fletcher – Seton Hall University
- Manuel Hodgson – New York University
- Idris Hofler – Virginia State University
- Richard Lloyd Jr. – Savannah State University
- Xavier Mack – Pace University
- London Nash – Clark Atlanta University
- Julianna Pierre – Pace University
- Neshama Ryman – Harvard University
- James (Oscar) Saltalamacchia – Marymount Manhattan College
- Isis Troxler – SUNY Brockport
- Tania Tyler-Wilson – SUNY Buffalo State
- Nylah Watkins – Xavier University of Louisiana
- Matthew Welling – Syracuse University
