Just as Major League Baseball is about to celebrate its All-Star Game, UMPS CARE Charities is excited to celebrate two new additions to its All-Star College Scholarship Program.
Congratulations to Jonathan Dronet who will start classes at Central Connecticut State University this fall, and Victoria “Tori” Piccininni who will study at Immaculata University in Pennsylania.
“We had a very competitive field of applicants, but our scholarship committee strongly believes in Jonathan and Tori, and we are excited to see what’s in store for both of them as they begin their college journeys this fall,” said Jennifer Jopling, senior director for programs and development at UMPS CARE Charities.
Through the UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship Program, Jonathan and Tori will receive $10,000 per year – $40,000 over four years of college – to support their college studies.
Jonathan was placed in foster care at the age of 5, and after many trials and tribulations, was connected with his adoptive mother in 2021. He was 14 when he joined his new family.
For Jonathan, this scholarship means he can live in the college dorms and experience even more of college life than he was initially able to do.
Tori was first placed in foster care when she was 6 and joined her adoptive family at 17.
For Tori, this scholarship means she can attend her “dream school” – a university where her adoptive parents met.
While the financial funding is critical for both of these students, it is also noteworthy that each of them will be paired with mentors from the MLB Umpires and their families.
Their mentors will play pivotal roles in providing on-going support, care packages, phone calls and more to help Jonathan and Tori as they navigate the next four years.
“Although my support system started out small, it has grown stronger every year. and I know it will continue to expand as I enter this next chapter of my life,” Jonathan shared with us. “I’m excited to meet new people, build lasting relationships and find mentors who can help guide me academically and personally. I’m proud of the progress I have made so far and am hopeful for the future.”
Since UMPS CARE Charities added the mentorship component to the scholarship program in 2015, we are proud to share that we have had a 100 percent graduation rate!
Since our program began in 2006, UMPS CARE has provided more than $410,000 in financial assistance to children adopted later in life.
Special thanks to Deloitte, the Marcum Foundation and Umpire Focus for helping us expand this program and to our donors who have helped us build this program and have made it what it is today.
If you are interested in sponsoring this program or know of a potential student candidate for this program, email Jennifer Jopling at [email protected]
